Gainsborough: Firm ‘named and shamed’ over failing to pay worker the National Minimum Wage

The Government has named 75 employers who have failed to pay their workers the wage.

These included Diamond Cabs Ltd, Gainsborough, which has neglected to pay £722.87 to one worker.

Between them, the named companies owed workers more than £153,000 in arrears, and span sectors including hairdressing, fashion, publishing, hospitality, health and fitness, automotive, social care, and retail.

This brings the total number of companies named and shamed under the scheme, which was introduced in October 2013, to 285 employers, with total arrears of more than £788,000 and total penalties of more than £325,000.

MP for Gainsborough, Sir Edward Leigh, said: “The Government is trying to move Britain closer to a high-wage, low-tax society where working individuals and families are in charge of their own destinies and keep the money they earn.

“It’s scandalous when employers don’t pay their workers properly and I’m glad the Government is naming and shaming the perpetrators so that we know not to give them our business.

“Enforcement is only going to become more rigorous over the coming years.”

Business minister Nick Boles said: “As a one nation government on the side of working people we are determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage receives it.

“When the new National Living Wage is introduced next April we will enforce robustly. This means that the hard-working people of the UK will get the pay rise they deserve.

“From October 2015 the National Minimum Wage will increase to £6.70. Employers should be well aware of the different rates for the National Minimum Wage (NMW) depending on the circumstances of their workers.

“Employers and workers can call the Acas helpline or visit www.gov.uk if they need information about the NMW,” he added.

The 75 cases named were investigated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The naming and shaming scheme was revised in October 2013 to make it simpler to name and shame employers that do not comply with minimum wage rules and have been issued with a Notice of Underpayment (NoU) unless employers meet one of the exceptional criteria or have arrears of £100 or less.

The owners of Diamond Cabs Ltd were unavailable for comment as the Standard went to press.