Minimum Wage: Your Rights

Do you suspect you or someone you know is earning less than the legal minimum wage? This guide provides essential tips to ensure you receive the correct pay. We also strongly urge you, your family, and friends to join a trade union for valuable support when addressing payment issues with employers.

48 Companies Forced to Repay Unpaid Wages

The employers named below were investigated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and required to reimburse underpaid staff. Here’s the full list of cases:

• G1 Venues Ltd, trading as Arta Restaurant, Glasgow, neglected to pay £45,124.00 to 2,895 workers
• The Clothing Works Ltd (ceased trading), Corby, neglected to pay £17,007.08 to 38 workers
• Freedom Sportsline Ltd, trading as Foot Locker, London, neglected to pay £16,718.25 to 601 workers
• French Connection UK Ltd, London, neglected to pay £16,436.05 to 367 workers
• Minara Enterprises Ltd, trading as Fakenham Tandoori, Fakenham, neglected to pay £11,696.47 to 1 worker
• Sharon Makin, trading as Clever Clowns Day Nursery, Manchester, neglected to pay £10,572.08 to 6 workers
• UK Gaming Computers Ltd, Colchester, neglected to pay £6,036.99 to 2 workers
• Sarah Sloane and David Sloane, trading as Hawes Side Nursery, Blackpool, neglected to pay £2,825.58 to 3 workers
• Weston Hire Services Ltd, Weston-super-Mare, neglected to pay £2,819.79 to 1 worker
• Miss C Glendon & Miss S Glendon, trading as Ciara’s Tots Day Nursery, Manchester, neglected to pay £2,549.23 to 1 worker
• Florence Opportunities Ltd, trading as Morgan Edward Hair & Beauty, Carmarthen, neglected to pay £2,201.99 to 1 worker
• Champneys Springs Ltd, Swadlincote, neglected to pay £1,950 to 5 workers
• H M Bodyshop Ltd, Colindale, London, neglected to pay £1,944.83 to 1 worker
• David Hayton Ltd, Penrith, neglected to pay £1,865.48 to 1 worker
• Caledonian Leisure Sales Ltd, trading as Hurleys Operations, Birmingham, neglected to pay £1,628.63 to 1 worker
• The Bell at Skenfrith Ltd, Skenfrith, neglected to pay £1,619.36 to 1 worker
• Miss Kerris Dunne, Mr Frederick Dunne & Mrs Alison Ashforth, trading as Aerobrights, Stafford, neglected to pay £1,529.82 to 6 workers
• Mortgages First Ltd, Colchester, neglected to pay £1,475.63 to 3 workers
• Fullworks (Ayrshire) Ltd, trading as The Full Works, Irvine, neglected to pay £1,362.76 to 2 workers
• Crazy Divas Ltd, trading as Divas, Colchester, neglected to pay £1,316.74 to 4 workers
• Glenview Development Partners Ltd, Tullibody, neglected to pay £1,150.42 to 1 worker
• Toni & Guy (Wilmslow) Ltd, Wilmslow, neglected to pay £1,031.12 to 1 worker
• Vertu Motors Plc, trading as Bristol Street Motors, Gateshead, neglected to pay £1,001.42 to 1 worker
• PNP Media Ltd, trading as EBS Marketing, Manchester, neglected to pay £981.06 to 2 workers
• Mr Trevor Trutwein, trading as Ambitions 2, Gillingham, neglected to pay £903.32 to 1 worker
• Mr Anthony Miller, trading as Sportline Car Sales, Coalville, neglected to pay £779.70 to 2 workers
• The Conde Nast Publications, London, neglected to pay £745.48 to 1 worker
• Mr Yong Zhang, trading as Dragon Cottage Chinese Takeaway, Loughborough, neglected to pay £711.80 to 1 worker
• 99p Stores Ltd, Northampton, neglected to pay £633.39 to 11 workers
• Mr M & Mrs M Hargreaves, trading as Little Windrush, Solihull, neglected to pay £631.51 to 3 workers
• Azad & Sons Ltd, trading as Pizza Hut, Norwich, neglected to pay £622.58 to 23 workers
• The Bull’s Head (Inkberrow) Ltd, trading as The Bull’s Head Inn, Worcester, neglected to pay £580.95 to 3 workers
• Glyn Harding, trading as GCH Transport, Frome, neglected to pay £485.87 to 1 worker
• Mrs Yoko Banks, trading as Ashley House Hotel, Harrogate, neglected to pay £405.07 to 1 worker
• Mr Daniel Smith, trading as Smith’s Hair, Braintree, neglected to pay £385.86 to 1 worker
• Pharmacy 1st Ltd, Gillingham, neglected to pay £363.55 to 1 worker
• Ms Sonia Duncton, trading as The Three Compasses Public House, Alford, neglected to pay £344.72 to 3 workers
• Mrs Geraldine Kelly, trading as New Hope Creche, Enniskillen, neglected to pay £344.30 to 11 workers
• Bounty (UK) Ltd, Welwyn Garden City, neglected to pay £284.26 to 1 worker
• Golden Phoenix Inns Ltd, trading as The Crown Inn, Bristol, neglected to pay £284.01 to 1 worker
• The Widd Group Ltd, trading as Widd Signs, Leeds, neglected to pay £253.50 to 1 worker
• Mr Garry Evis, trading as Woodside MOT and Service Centre, Middlesbrough, neglected to pay £232.55 to 1 worker
• Mr Keith J Pygall, trading as Pygall Coaches, Peterlee, neglected to pay £198.34 to 1 worker
• Ranc Care Homes Ltd, trading as Maidstone Care Centre, Ilford, neglected to pay £178.76 to 1 worker
• Call & Deliver Ltd, trading as Pizza Hut, Heckmondwike, neglected to pay £163.45 to 9 workers
• Mr Fernando Rocha, trading as A Tasca, Ely, neglected to pay £152.28 to 1 worker
• Winners 2000 Fitness Ltd, Torquay, neglected to pay £130.78 to 1 worker
• Central Electrical Ltd, Chesterfield, neglected to pay £130.28 to 1 worker

The Minimum Wage – Not Just a Fashion Statement

French Connection was discovered to have underpaid 367 staff, owing £16,436.05 in back pay. The current rates are £6.50 per hour for those aged 21 and over, and £5.13 for ages 18–20.

The company avoided prosecution by repaying the arrears plus an £11,000 fine.

Money owed to French Connection staff: £16,400

Foot Locker operator Freedom Sportsline Ltd agreed to repay £16,718.25 and pay an £10,500 fine after 601 employees were underpaid. Whistleblowers prompted HMRC’s investigation.

As Business Minister Jo Swinson stated: “There’s no excuse for companies that don’t pay staff the wages they’re entitled to…”

Is Your Boss Paying at Least the Minimum Wage?

1. Keep Yourself Updated
   The minimum wage rates usually change in October. If you’re 21 or over, you must earn at least £6.50 per hour. Younger workers and apprentices have different rates. Learn more about your minimum wage rights or check external rates  here.
2. Read Your Payslip
   You’re entitled to a payslip—ask your employer if you don’t receive one. It shows your earnings and deductions. For help decoding it, visit the Money Advice Service guide  here.
3. Get to Grips with the System
   Whether you’re paid hourly, salaried, or per piece, the law ensures you meet the minimum wage. Find full rules on various pay types:  overview, salaried pay  calculation, and per-task rates  here.

If you work in a restaurant, your employer should not deduct tips. The Mirror’s Fair Tips campaign secured legislation in 2008.  Read more.

I Think My Boss Is Exploiting Me – What Can I Do?

For free, confidential advice call the government’s Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368 or visit the website for details.  Learn more.

Trade unions act as a strong voice for workers. If you’re a member and face issues at work, your union can offer advice and legal support.