National minimum wage offenders named and shamed

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published the largest ever list of National Minimum Wage offenders. The 198 companies listed owed workers over £466,219 in arrears.

Since the scheme was introduced in October 2013, 688 employers have been named and shamed, with total arrears of more than £3.5 million.

It is an employer’s responsibility to be aware of the different minimum wage rates depending on the circumstances of their workers and to make sure all eligible workers are paid at least the minimum rate they are entitled to. The current minimum wage rates are:

• National Living Wage (25 years and over) - £7.20 per hour
• adult rate of National Minimum Wage (21 years and over) - £6.70 per hour
• 18 to 20-year olds - £5.30 per hour
• 16 to 17-year olds - £3.87 per hour
• apprentice rate - £3.30 per hour

For expert employment law advice, contact Jon Dyson at our Halifax office on 01422 339600 or email jmd@wilkinsonwoodward.co.uk