The 12 Birmingham companies named in government list for failing to pay minimum wage

With some 524 businesses across the UK having been named by government for failing to pay the minimum wage, employers the length and breadth of the country have been ordered to repay workers nearly £16 million, plus an additional financial penalty, after breaches left over 172,000 workers out of pocket.

Across the UK, high street companies such as Easyjet, Greggs, Currys and River Island have all been named in the list.

This shocking news, which involves major high street brands and huge local employers, comes at a time when the National Living Wage is set to increase by 9.8% to £11.44 an hour on 1st April, as announced in November’s Autumn statement. The investigations by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) concluded between 2015 and 2023.

It has been acknowledged, however, that not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, but the government states that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it and warns that enforcement action will be taken against employers who do not pay their staff correctly.

The list has been revealed as the National Living Wage, which was introdued 25 years ago, is set to increase by 9.8% to £11.44 an hour on April 1, as announced in November’s Autumn statement. As of 2024, the National Minimum Wage is £11.44 for 21 and over (previously 23 and over), £8.60 for 18 to 20, and £6.40 for under 18.

The businesses named in the list provided by the government have since paid back what they owe to their staff and have also faced financial penalties of up to 200% of their underpayment. The investigations by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) concluded between 2015 and 2023.

These are the 12 Birmingham based companies that have been named in government list for failing to pay minimum wage