HUNDREDS of employers have been named by the UK Government for failing to pay workers the National Minimum Wage, with 50 Scottish firms on the list.
Around £4 million in wages has been repaid to more than 27,000 workers by 658 employers following “robust” enforcement action.
Ministers said they were determined to stop employers short changing their staff, announcing that penalties totalling £7m have been issued to employers found not to be paying the legal minimum wage.
The biggest shortfall north of the Border involved Glasgow nursery chain Collin Care Ltd, which owed £28,149 to 77 employees.
Murdoch Allan & Son, the Peterhead-based bakery business, underpaid seven workers by £24,150. Edinburgh horse dealer and showjumping yard Horsechoice, operated by Fiona Burgoyne, owed £22,422 to four staff.
Several other childcare providers, retailers, food businesses and restaurants were also included in the list.
Scottish firms named included:
- Collin Care Ltd, Glasgow — £28,149 owed to 77 workers
- Murdoch Allan & Son, Peterhead — £24,150 owed to seven workers
- Fiona Burgoyne trading as Horsechoice, Edinburgh — £22,422 owed to four workers
- Dynamic Retail Ltd trading as Scotfresh, Dundee — £14,452 owed to 215 workers
- Aulds Delicious Desserts, Renfrew — £9,435 owed to 89 workers
- La Vita, Glasgow — part of £5,440 owed by Glasgow restaurants to 66 workers
- The Butchershop Bar & Grill, Glasgow — part of £5,440 owed by Glasgow restaurants to 66 workers
- Saash Foods Ltd trading as Pepe’s — £2,587 owed to two workers
- KA Scotland Ltd trading as Pepe’s — £700 owed to 14 workers
- Victoria Park Kindergarten, Glasgow — named on the list
- Clarence Nursery, Glasgow — named on the list
- Acorn Park Nursery, Glasgow — named on the list
The firms have been ordered to repay affected staff, with employers also facing financial penalties for breaches of minimum-wage law.
The UK Government said it was committed to publish naming lists more regularly so that employers are swiftly held to account and make improvements as soon as possible.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “The best businesses know that looking after your workers isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do, building the stronger, more successful businesses that drive growth in every postcode.
“Most employers already understand this, and I want to work with them to ensure they have every piece of guidance and support available to help them follow the rules.
“Short-changing your staff isn’t a shortcut to success and we are determined to stamp it out.”
Minister Kate Dearden added: “Underpaying your staff is illegal, and we will not let workers foot the bill for their boss failing to follow the rules.
“We’re making sure workers get the hard-earned pay they deserve, and where employers fall short, they will be held to account.
“Every employer should check their payroll now and reach out to Acas if they need further support.”
Which UK companies top the list?
Among the firms named by the Government was DIY giant B&Q, which was reported to have failed to pay £456,934 to 4,530 workers.
A spokesman for the company said: “The shortfalls in payments were unintentional. They relate to calculations involving geographical allowances which are paid in addition to minimum hourly rates.
“All affected colleagues were quickly paid in full in July 2025.”
Other firms named by the UK Government included:
- Elysium Healthcare Holdings Limited, reported to have failed to pay £330,048 to 1095 workers
- St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospital Group, Epsom, (£123,331 to 75 workers)
- Support Staff Services Limited, Slough (£119,715 to 323 workers)
- Forest Holidays Ltd (£100,308 to 598 workers)
- St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (£77,498 to 55 workers)
- Lanes Group Limited, Leeds (£67,893 to 297 workers)
- UK Care Team Ltd, Leicester (£67,082 to 99 workers)
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Bosses who fail to pay the minimum wage deserve to be named and shamed.
“There is no excuse for workers being cheated out of the minimum wage. It’s bad for workers, families and the economy.
“Every pound taken from a worker’s pocket is a pound that could have been spent in local shops, cafes and high streets.
“That’s why the Government’s new Fair Work Agency is so important. It is a chance to come down hard on rogue employers who refuse to do right by their staff.”
It is understood St George’s, Epsom and St Helier maintain that no staff were underpaid as it related to a technical compliance issue where part of their salary for a non tax-deductible “salary sacrifice” (for example, towards childcare) was not counted towards the national minimum wage, even though their gross salary was above the national minimum wage.
The hospitals have changed their process and improved compliance.
