Minimum wage dodgers named and shamed in pay crackdown

Luigi’s Little Italy Ltd, in Meltham, owes five workers £281.04 while Alan and John King, who run the Arthur Simpson & Co garage in Bradford, owe one worker £6,426.12.

The Yorkshire Post was unable to make contact with either business yesterday.

It is the biggest single list of employers breaking minimum wage laws to be published since last October when the Government changed the regulations to make it easier to name and shame wrongdoers.

In total, the 25 companies named owe their staff £43,000 and face fines totalling £21,000.

Business Minister Jenny Willott said: “Paying less than the minimum wage is not only wrong, it’s illegal. If employers break the law they need to know that they will face tough consequences.

“Any worker who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it.”

Businesses can be find up to £20,000 for breaking the rules and the Government plans to change the law so the penalty applies for each worker underpaid.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “It’s great that minimum wage crooks are finally getting named and shamed.

“Under-paying your lowest paid staff is immoral and illegal. Employers caught in the act deserve to be fined and have their reputation ruined.

“This should send a clear message that dodging the minimum wage does not pay. All minimum wage cheats should be named and shamed, and HMRC need greater resources to catch even more crooks.”