The Department for Business and Trade says that thousands of hard-working people in the north west denied more than £370,000 in pay by their employers have been directly repaid.
New figures released today reveal the latest crackdown on those who fail to pay the national minimum wage, which currently stands at £12.21 for people aged 21 and above, £10 for workers aged 18 to 20, and £7.55 for apprentices and those aged under-18.
Next month, this will rise to £12.71 for workers aged 21 and above, £10.85 for staff aged 18 to 20, and £8 for apprentices and those aged under-18.
Three Warrington businesses have appeared on the Government’s name and shame list for failing to pay the national minimum wage.
One is In Depth Services (Cleaning) Ltd, Warrington, based in WA2, which is said to have failed to pay £573.06 to 43 workers.
Another is Alpla UK Ltd, a plastic manufacturing business based in WA3, which the Government says failed to pay £4,532.84 to 29 workers.
Also named on the list is Lymm Early Years Education Ltd, located in WA13, which is said to have failed to pay £542.45 to 13 workers.
The findings come alongside enforcement action nationwide against businesses failing to pay their staff the legal minimum wage.
New figures show a total of around £12.6million in fines have been issued to 389 employers across the UK, coming on top of the repaid wages.
Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said: “Workers should not have to chase their boss to be paid properly.
“That is why we are cracking down on employers who underpay. We are making sure that workers get the hard-earned pay that they deserve.
“I encourage every employer to check their payroll to ensure that they do not get caught out.”
This is the first ‘naming round’ since the Chancellor’s Budget commitment to publish more frequently, incentivising employers to keep their payroll up to date and boosting workers’ confidence that when they are treated poorly by their boss, swift justice will follow.
It is also the final naming round before the Fair Work Agency comes into force on April 7, which sees a new enforcement body formed through the recently passed Employment Rights Act, bringing workers’ rights enforcement under one roof for the first time.
Offering a single, streamlined place where employers will be able to get guidance on how to follow the rules, the Fair Work Agency will have more muscle to ensure that workers across the country get every penny they are owed, the Government says.
This not only includes enforcing payment of the minimum wage, but is soon set to tackle those who break the law by denying holiday and sick pay.
If workers suspect they are being underpaid, they can visit gov.uk/checkyourpay to find out more about what they can do.
Workers visit the Acas website for free, impartial, and confidential advice, or they can complain to HM Revenue and Customs.