Tag: National Minimum Wage

Budget pay rise for millions of low paid workers

  • Chancellor announces pay rise for over 3 million workers next year, as National Living Wage rises by 6.7% 
  • Pay boost worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker – a significant move towards delivering a genuine living wage.  
  • 18-20 National Minimum Wage will rise by £1.40 per hour – the largest increase on record – and marks first step towards a single adult rate.  

Over 3 million workers will receive a pay boost after the Chancellor confirmed the National Living Wage will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour from April 2025.  

The 6.7% increase – which is worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker – is a significant step towards delivering the manifesto commitment to make sure the minimum wage is a genuine living wage.  

The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will also rise from £8.60 to £10.00 an hour – the largest increase in the rate on record. This £1.40 increase will mean full-time younger workers eligible for the rate will see their pay boosted by £2,500 next year. This marks the first step towards aligning the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage to create a single adult wage rate, which would take place over time. 

The move comes ahead of today’s Budget which will ‘fix the foundations’ to deliver change by fixing the NHS and rebuilding Britain, while ensuring working people don’t face higher taxes in their payslips. 

It builds on the commitment to be a pro-business, pro-worker, pro-growth Government – delivering a key plank of the Plan to Make Work Pay, which is already set to boost the pockets of the lowest-paid workers by up to £600 a year through the Employment Rights Bill.  

The plan will boost productivity, creating a workforce that is fit and ready to help us deliver our first mission to kickstart economic growth – with good jobs and growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off. 

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:  “This Government promised a genuine living wage for working people.

“This pay boost for millions of workers is a significant step towards delivering on that promise.”  

Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds said: “Good work and fair wages are in the interest of British business as much as British workers. 

“This government is changing people’s lives for the better because we know that investing in the workforce leads to better productivity, better resilience and ultimately a stronger economy primed for growth.” 

Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said: ““A proper day’s work deserves a proper day’s pay. 

“Our changes will see a pay boost that will help millions of lower earners to cover the essentials as well as providing the biggest increase for 18–20-year-olds on record.” 

The minimum hourly wage for an apprentice is also boosted next year, with an 18-year-old apprentice in an industry like construction seeing their minimum hourly pay increase by 18.0%, a pay bump from £6.40 to £7.55 an hour.     

These increases will mean 3.5 million workers will receive a pay rise this year in total. They confirm the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations, whose advisory remit was overhauled by ministers in July to consider the cost of living.  

Ethics Director at Lush Cosmetics, Hilary Jones said: ““Lush staff making and selling our products are crucial to our success, so we commit to the Living Wage Foundation’s independently calculated real living wage rates each year to feel confident our rates of pay are fair and that our staff can afford what they need to thrive, not just survive.

“In these tough times where the cost of living continues to rise, it is great to see the Government increase minimum wage closer to these calculations to support the hardest working and most vulnerable workers across the UK.” 

Chair of the Low Pay Commission, Baroness Philippa Stroud said:  “The Government have been clear about their ambitions for the National Minimum Wage and its importance in supporting workers’ living standards.

“At the same time, employers have had to deal with the adult rate rising over 20 per cent in two years, and the challenges that has created alongside other pressures to their cost base.  

“It is our job to balance these considerations, ensuring the NLW provides a fair wage for the lowest-paid workers while taking account of economic factors. These rates secure a real-terms pay increase for the lowest-paid workers. Young workers will see substantial increases in their pay floor, making up some of the ground lost against the adult rate over time.” 

Good news for low paid workers, then. but some businesses – small businesses remain the bedrock of the UK economy – point out that it’s not the government that will be paying the pay rises, it’s them.

Coming on top of the likely increase in employers National Insurance contributions likely to be announced today they say that these additional costs could force some small businesses, working on small profit margins, to close.

TUC: It’s time to apply the lessons of the minimum wage

Sunday 1st April marked the 25th anniversary of the UK getting a minimum wage (writes TUC General Secretary PAUL NOWAK).

Nowadays when we think of the national minimum wage (NMW), we think of what is roundly accepted as one of the great policy successes of our time. But we shouldn’t kid ourselves that there was unanimity about the need to raise wages.  

Britain was full of employers and employers’ organisations predicting the minimum wage would cause mass unemployment and economic ruin.

The CBI warned a NMW “could result in rising prices, business closures and unemployment”. That it would “undermine flexibility and was a poor way to tackle poverty”. They wanted all new employees to be exempted from the minimum wage for the first six months! 1

They were wrong!

The minimum wage started off at £3.60. With no loss of jobs, and no economic meltdown. And in recent years, it’s gone up substantially. And it’s done so with no negative impact on jobs.

History proved all those doomsday warnings emphatically wrong. And I think there are lessons there for all of us. So here’s three: 

First: the NMW was a bold policy and we need to be equally bold for its future. 

The TUC is clear, we now need to set the bar higher. That means ministers should set a bolder Low Pay Commission remit:

  • A target of 75 per cent of median pay. 
  • Getting us faster towards a £15 an hour minimum wage for all. 
  • Raising the pay of millions 
  • Making the minimum wage a real Living Wage. 

Second: sometimes we have to face down those whose instinctive reaction is to say no to measures that improve the lives of working people.  

This is vital if we are going to deliver a much-needed new deal for working people in this country. 

  • 1 in 9 workers are in insecure work. 
  • Record numbers of young people on zero hours contracts. 
  • Seventy per cent of the kids who live in poverty have working parents. 

The New Deal is the right thing to do. Not just morally, but economically. It will establish a level playing field. Stop decent employers from being undercut by the cowboys. And make sure that everyone has a secure job they can build a life on. 

Just like the minimum wage, good employers have nothing to fear from the New Deal. But that hasn’t stopped some employers organisations’ warning of an economic apocalypse if Labour’s New Deal was made law.  And the arguments are exactly the same as they were 25 years ago. It will cost jobs. Put employers out of business. Reduce flexibility. 

The then British Hospitality Association said back in 1997 that the NMW would destroy 32,000 jobs in the industry2 . Spoiler alert: it didn’t!

They were wrong then, and they are wrong now. That’s why Labour should resist the out of touch, out of date siren voices from the 90s. Now is the time to forge a new political consensus on tackling the scourge of insecure work and deliver the New Deal in full. 

Third and final lesson. 

The NMW has succeeded because it has been underpinned by what might be unfashionably called social dialogue.  Employers, unions, supported by independent academics, working with government to deliver a minimum wage. We could do with more of that approach today.

Our so-called flexible labour market has failed far too many people. It’s led to massive rewards at the top and stagnant wages for everyone else. Unleashed epic insecurity and in-work poverty. And actively undermined our productivity. 

So it’s time for a new approach. 

Time to apply the lessons of the minimum wage. Time for the New Deal for workers that Britain needs. 

‘Check your pay’ call to people in Christmas jobs

Seasonal staff should check their pay to make sure they are being paid correctly

Festive workers who may be missing out on the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage are being urged to check their pay.

Seasonal staff and students on short-term contracts over the Christmas period, including those working in shops, hotels, Christmas markets, garden centres, restaurants and warehouses, are legally entitled to the same minimum rates as other workers.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding all workers to check their hourly rate of pay – in particular, looking out for any unpaid working time, such as time spent opening and closing a shop, training, picking up extra shifts and working longer hours. Deductions, for things like uniforms or tools, can also reduce pay rates.

In the 2022 to 2023 tax year, HMRC identified wage arrears of £13.7 million due to more than 108,000 underpaid UK workers.

Marc Gill, HMRC’s Director Individuals and Small Business Compliance, said: “We want to make sure that all workers, including seasonal staff and students, are being paid what they are due this festive period, which is why we are reminding everyone to check their pay.

“People should check their hourly rate and look out for any deductions or unpaid working time. It could take them below the minimum wage.

“HMRC looks into every minimum wage complaint, so if you think you are being short-changed you should get in touch. Don’t lose out – report it.”

The National Minimum Wage hourly rates are currently:

  • £10.42 – Age 23 and over (National Living Wage)
  • £10.18 – Age 21 to 22
  • £7.49 – Age 18 to 20
  • £5.28 – Age under 18
  • £5.28 – Apprentice

Anyone not being paid what they are entitled to, or people concerned that someone they know may not be getting paid correctly, can report it online at GOV.UK. It is an easy process that takes around 10 minutes and reports can be made after the employment has ended.

To speak with someone, raise a concern or get further information, people can also phone the Acas Pay and Work Rights helpline on 0300 123 1100 for confidential, free advice (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). In Northern Ireland contact the Labour Relations Agency.

Employers can access support at any time to ensure they are paying their workers correctly:

They can also contact the Acas helpline for advice.

For further information about the National Minimum Wage visit GOV.UK at:

And the Acas website.   

Pay uplift promise for both health and social care and childcare workers

Scottish Government makes £12 an hour commitment

Private and voluntary sector staff working in Adult Social Care (ASC), Children’s Services (CS) and those who deliver funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) will receive at least £12 an hour under a new pledge made by the First Minister.

This uplift, announced in the First Minister’s first Programme for Government, will mean an increase of more than £2,000 a year for some staff in April 2024.

The £12 minimum pay rate represents an increase of 10.1% from the £10.90 minimum rate that was introduced in April 2023 for eligible staff in ASC and ELC.

For workers in CS who previously received National Minimum Wage, this increase will represent a minimum increase in pay of 15.2% compared to April 2023.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “Up to 100,000 workers will benefit from this policy. They fulfil a vital role in society, and we are immensely grateful for the contribution they make.

“Pay and conditions are of great importance in the wellbeing and retention of the social care workforce, and that is why we are committing to make sure staff in these vital services are paid at least £12 per hour.

“Four out of five people who will benefit from this uplift in pay are female. Increasing pay not only helps the workforce in question, but will also help achieve our wider priorities on child poverty, fair work, and post-Covid recovery in the health and care sector.”

The Scottish Government is working with COSLA and local authorities to support the implementation of this commitment and will set out further details in the coming months, building on the current guidance that supports implementation of the real Living Wage commitment.

Named and Shamed

More than 200 companies named for failing to pay their staff the minimum wage

  • 202 businesses named for failing to pay the minimum wage to lowest paid workers.
  • Employers ordered to repay workers and face penalties of nearly £7 million after breaches left 63,000 workers out of pocket.
  • Follows on from 9.7% increase in National Living Wage and Minimum Wage paid to almost 3 million workers.

Over 200 employers are today (21 June 2023) being named by the UK government for failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage.

The 202 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers almost £5 million in a clear breach of National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, leaving around 63,000 workers out of pocket.

Companies being named today range from major high street brands to small businesses and sole traders, in a clear message from government that no employer is exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage.

As well as the usual suspects – the nail bars, hairdressers and security companies, some of the UK’s major retailers including Argos, W H Smith and Marks and Spencer are among the guilty companies.

One Edinburgh firm appears on the list. Social Care Alba Ltd failed to pay £650.38 to 8 workers.

Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said: Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and all businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.

“Most businesses do the right thing and look after their employees, but we’re sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law: pay your staff properly or you’ll face the consequences.”

The businesses named in today’s list have since paid back what they owe to their staff and have also faced financial penalties. The investigations by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs concluded between 2017 and 2019.

The employers named today previously underpaid workers in the following ways:

  • 39% of employers deducted pay from workers’ wages.
  • 39% of employers failed to pay workers correctly for their working time.
  • 21% of employers paid the incorrect apprenticeship rate.

Whilst not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, there is no excuse for underpaying workers.

Guidance for employers on pay is available on GOV.UK, and today the government has published additional advice about breaches and the steps employers should take to make sure they pay their workers correctly.

Bryan Sanderson Chair of the Low Pay Commission said: “The minimum wage acts as a guarantee to ensure all workers without exception receive a decent minimum standard of pay. Where employers break the law, they not only do a disservice to their staff but also undermine fair competition between businesses.

“Regular naming rounds should be a useful tool in raising awareness of underpayment and helping to protect minimum wage workers.”

The government has been clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it, and that robust enforcement action will be taken against employers who do not pay their staff correctly.

Since 2015, the budget for minimum wage enforcement has doubled with the government having ordered employers to repay over £100 million to 1 million workers.

The government is determined to ensure workers are paid for their hard work, having increased the National Living Wage by a record amount in April 2023.

This led to the lowest paid workers in the UK seeing a rise of 9.7%, keeping the UK government on track to achieve its manifesto commitment for the National Living Wage to equal two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, provided economic conditions allow.

List of employers named in Round 18

This is the full list of employers being named and shamed for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage, with fuller detail provided in the attached spreadsheet:

List of named employers (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 48.4 KB)

  1. WH Smith Retail Holdings Limited, Swindon, SN3, failed to pay £1,017,693.36 to 17,607 workers.
  2. Lloyds Pharmacy Limited, Coventry, CV2, failed to pay £903,307.47 to 7,916 workers.
  3. Marks and Spencer P.L.C., London, W2, failed to pay £578,390.79 to 5,363 workers.
  4. Argos Limited, Milton Keynes, MK9, failed to pay £480,093.58 to 10,399 workers.
  5. Buzz Group Limited – Voluntary Arrangement 3/8/20, Nottingham, NG7, failed to pay £319,297.21 to 3,448 workers.
  6. Baxterstorey Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £185,242.24 to 2,166 workers.
  7. McNicholas Construction Services Limited, Elstree, WD6, failed to pay £170,517.57 to 704 workers.
  8. Showsec International Limited, Leicester, LE1, failed to pay £107,835.49 to 5,574 workers.
  9. Brunning and Price Limited, Chester, CH3, failed to pay £98,675.37 to 1,500 workers.
  10. Chanel Limited, Croydon, CR9, failed to pay £70,413.59 to 250 workers.
  11. AAH Limited, Coventry, CV2, failed to pay £42,359.39 to 201 workers.
  12. Mr John Bowden & Mr Gary Bowden, trading as Dulhorn Farm Holiday Park, Weston-Super-Mare, BS24, failed to pay £37,880.77 to 13 workers.
  13. 4 Site Security Services Limited, Leeds, LS11, failed to pay £36,388.31 to 170 workers.
  14. UK Pharmaservices Ltd, Bradford, BD9, failed to pay £35,094.66 to 13 workers.
  15. Victor Foster Poultry Services Limited, Markethill, BT60, failed to pay £33,045.17 to 284 workers.
  16. Loganair Limited, Paisley, PA3, failed to pay £24,367 to 43 workers.
  17. Tudor Employment Agency Limited, Walsall, WS1, failed to pay £22,606.96 to 930 workers.
  18. Wellingstone Ltd, trading as East Orient Buffet Restaurant, Warrington, WA1, failed to pay £21,127.65 to 8 workers.
  19. Dune Group Limited, London, NW8, failed to pay £21,088.48 to 339 workers.
  20. OMI Facilities Limited, Glasgow, G4, failed to pay £20,622.77 to 9 workers.
  21. The Lion Hotel (Criccieth) Limited, trading as The Lion Hotel, Criccieth, LL52, failed to pay £20,322.27 to 9 workers.
  22. Executive Sport Limited, London, SW19, failed to pay £20,200.34 to 8 workers.
  23. Lemon Tree Manchester Ltd, Manchester, M12, failed to pay £18,976.19 to 17 workers.
  24. TFL Service Centre Limited – Liquidation 13/12/21, traded as Wimbledon Service Centre, London, SW19, failed to pay £18,377.98 to 7 workers.
  25. ALG Cognita Limited, Abingdon, OX14, failed to pay £17,364.51 to 318 workers.
  26. Twenty Four Seven Recruitment Services Limited, Wrexham, LL13, failed to pay £17,049.34 to 213 workers.
  27. Macdonald Hotels (Management) Limited, Bathgate, EH48, failed to pay £16,111.76 to 64 workers.
  28. Kuehne + Nagel Limited, Milton Keynes, MK14, failed to pay £14,589.92 to 173 workers.
  29. Hall & Woodhouse Limited, Blandford, DT11, failed to pay £14,354.5 to 23 workers.
  30. Hickory’s (ROS) Limited, trading as Hickory’s Smokehouse, Chester, CH3, failed to pay £14,141.12 to 157 workers.
  31. Baxterstorey Scotland Limited, Livingston, EH54, failed to pay £13,618.29 to 186 workers.
  32. Oulton Hall Hotel Trading Limited – Liquidation 29/12/20, Leeds, LS26, failed to pay £13,326.97 to 66 workers.
  33. Momentum Instore Limited, Macclesfield, SK10, failed to pay £12,501.51 to 434 workers.
  34. Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited, Glasgow, G52, failed to pay £12,215.56 to 48 workers.
  35. Park View Health Clubs Limited, London, N3, failed to pay £12,191.87 to 4 workers.
  36. Morleys Stores Limited, London, SW9, failed to pay £11,640.77 to 78 workers.
  37. Lex Legal (UK) Ltd, Bolton, BL3, failed to pay £11,559.42 to 10 workers.
  38. Oasis and Warehouse Limited – in administration 15/04/20, Witney, OX29, failed to pay £10,963.70 to 996 workers.
  39. Oxford United Football Club Limited, Oxford, OX4, failed to pay £10,826.74 to 31 workers.
  40. Elite Recruitment Agency Limited – Dissolved 22/11/2022, Norwich, NR5, failed to pay £10,554.39 to 1 worker.
  41. Holroyd Howe Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £10,302.15 to 129 workers.
  42. Mr Paul Wright, trading as Baccarat Hair Design, Beckenham, BR3, failed to pay £10,178.71 to 9 workers.
  43. Verve Personnel Limited, Manchester, M1, failed to pay £10,124.04 to 794 workers.
  44. Contemplation Homes Limited, Waterlooville, PO7, failed to pay £10,095.23 to 87 workers.
  45. The Park Hotel Ayrshire Limited, Kilmarnock, KA1, failed to pay £10,088.99 to 129 workers.
  46. Portway Crown Limited – Dissolved 11/05/21, traded as Rose and Crown, Birmingham, B48, failed to pay £9,809.24 to 3 workers.
  47. Thomas Commercial Cleaning Limited – under new ownership, Chipping Norton, OX7, failed to pay £9,762.56 to 6 workers.
  48. Delta Crewe Hall Op Co Limited, Crewe, CW1, failed to pay £9,626.89 to 29 workers.
  49. Top Nails Livingston Ltd. – Dissolved 28/9/21, Livingston, EH54, failed to pay £9,266.40 to 5 workers.
  50. Acropolis Corporate Limited – Liquidation 19/05/2022, traded as Cedar Court Hotels, Wakefield, WF2, failed to pay £9,150.60 to 56 workers.
  51. Avondale Foods (Craigavon) Limited, Craigavon, BT66, failed to pay £9,007.35 to 149 workers.
  52. Delta Telford Op Co Limited, Telford, TF7, failed to pay £8,871.76 to 12 workers.
  53. M1 Valet Centre Ltd – Dissolved 12/11/2019, Glasgow, G42, failed to pay £7,807.71 to 3 workers.
  54. Warrington Football Club Limited (The), trading as Warrington Wolves, Warrington, WA2, failed to pay £7,720.61 to 34 workers.
  55. Mr Faried Khan, trading as The News Shop, Manchester, M24, failed to pay £7,393.47 to 1 worker.
  56. Hudsons 23 Limited, trading as 23 Taxis, Hartlepool, TS24, failed to pay £7,190.46 to 83 workers.
  57. Dazzle Pristine Car Wash & Vehicle Servicing Ltd, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39, failed to pay £7,051.08 to 5 workers.
  58. Lucknam Park Hotels Limited, Colerne, SN14, failed to pay £6,990.12 to 33 workers.
  59. PFF Packaging (Sedgefield) Limited, Stockton-on -Tees, TS21, failed to pay £6,115.36 to 99 workers.
  60. Mr Harbhajan Singh Walia, trading as Parkside International Hotel, Reading, RG30, failed to pay £5,936.40 to 2 workers.
  61. D & F Trading Ltd – Dissolved 11/1/22, Huddersfield, HD4, failed to pay £5,920.22 to 7 workers.
  62. “Elvis Car Wash Ltd – Dissolved 3/11/20, London, SE6, failed to pay £5,768.98 to 3 workers.”
  63. Roka Mayfair Limited, London, W1K, failed to pay £5,741.87 to 16 workers.
  64. Mr Jangi Ismail Hamid, Doncaster, DN2, failed to pay £5,714.27 to 6 workers.
  65. The House of Bruar Limited, Perth, PH18, failed to pay £5,543.80 to 57 workers.
  66. Thanet Early Years Project, Broadstairs, CT10, failed to pay £5,487.97 to 27 workers.
  67. Delta Forest Pines Op Co Limited, trading as DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort, Brigg, DN20, failed to pay £5,471.81 to 17 workers.
  68. Nurse 365 Limited, Whitchurch, SY13, failed to pay £5,238.01 to 8 workers.
  69. Ross Labels Limited, Ross-on-Wye, HR9, failed to pay £5,221.27 to 106 workers.
  70. Little Poppets Nurseries Limited, Leicester, LE5, failed to pay £5,214.88 to 19 workers.
  71. Tenpin (Scotland) Limited, trading as Pro Bowl Glenrothes, Glenrothes, KY7, failed to pay £5,174.65 to 1 worker.
  72. Virgin Active Limited, London, EC1A, failed to pay £5,074.96 to 80 workers.
  73. Dr Tyrone Castles, trading as The Royal Hotel, Penrith, CA11, failed to pay £4,974.72 to 9 workers.
  74. All Day Recruitment Limited, Rickmansworth, WD3, failed to pay £4,896.57 to 25 workers.
  75. Casual Dining Restaurants Group Limited – Dissolved 4/10/22, London, NW1, failed to pay £4,647.70 to 20 workers.
  76. Hatch Brothers Limited, trading as Genesis Crafty (now under new ownership), Magherafelt, BT45, failed to pay £4,439.53 to 7 workers.
  77. Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club, Helensburgh, G84, failed to pay £4,426.73 to 1 worker.
  78. Express Valeting Limited, Southport, PR9, failed to pay £4,338.3 to 3 workers.
  79. Cater Link Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £4,285.35 to 61 workers.
  80. Day of Sunshine (UK) Ltd, Lytham St Annes, FY8, failed to pay £4,275.19 to 2 workers.
  81. Tot Stop Pre School & Early Years Centre Ltd, Driffield, YO25, failed to pay £4,213.77 to 10 workers.
  82. H.S. Walia Limited, trading as Lawn & Parkside International Hotels, Reading, RG30, failed to pay £4,198.85 to 1 worker.
  83. Velocity Interactive Limited – Dissolved 13/7/2021, London, EC2A, failed to pay £3,868.40 to 2 workers.
  84. B H Live, Bournemouth, BH2, failed to pay £3,757.43 to 130 workers.
  85. Few Inns Limited, Bampton, OX18, failed to pay £3,756.10 to 6 workers.
  86. Hunter’s Moon UK Limited, trading as Margaret Kimber, Glastonbury, BA6, failed to pay £3,653.22 to 8 workers.
  87. The Organic Hair Company Limited, Moreton In Marsh, GL56, failed to pay £3,590.83 to 4 workers.
  88. Ms Dimitroulla Antoniou, trading as Montage, London, N1, failed to pay £3,579.72 to 2 workers.
  89. Little Sunbeams Pre-School (Portsmouth), Portsmouth, PO2, failed to pay £3,561.97 to 9 workers.
  90. Reahs Restaurant Ltd, trading as The Portmor, Blackwatertown, BT71, failed to pay £3,292 to 8 workers.
  91. Delta Park Op Co Limited, Leeds, LS27, failed to pay £3,242.59 to 26 workers.
  92. Landlet Limited – in administration 7/7/22, traded as Belgrave House Hotel and Comfort Hotel Luton, London, SW1V, failed to pay £3,224.06 to 9 workers.
  93. Toolstation Limited, Bridgwater, TA6, failed to pay £3,090.18 to 79 workers.
  94. USA Car Wash (Derby) Limited, Derby, DE21, failed to pay £3,005.10 to 9 workers.
  95. The Inveraray Inn Limited, trading as The George Hotel, Inveraray, PA32, failed to pay £2,933.93 to 25 workers.
  96. Blackpool Pleasure Beach Limited, Blackpool, FY4, failed to pay £2,866.95 to 12 workers.
  97. Eunoia Enterprises Limited, Nottingham, NG7, failed to pay £2,798.84 to 31 workers.
  98. Mrs Pauline Butfield, trading as Pauline’s Hair & Beauty, York, YO26, failed to pay £2,791.84 to 1 worker.
  99. Bubbles Sussex Services Limited, Eastbourne, BN23, failed to pay £2,654.37 to 9 workers.
  100. Ridgeway Private Day Nursery Limited – Dissolved 19/4/22, Richmond, DL10, failed to pay £2,600 to 3 workers.
  101. K&R Blue Bakery Limited – Dissolved 9/11/21, Bognor Regis, PO22, failed to pay £2,574.87 to 4 workers.
  102. Integra Accounting Limited, Hinkley, LE10, failed to pay £2,566.42 to 5 workers.
  103. Crofton Park Cars Ltd – Dissolved 23/7/19, London, SE4, failed to pay £2,549.48 to 1 worker.
  104. The Young Explorers Day Nursery Limited, Matlock, DE4, failed to pay £2,521.93 to 14 workers.
  105. Mr Kristopher George Shenton, trading as KGS Gas Services, Stoke on Trent, ST2, failed to pay £2,428.96 to 1 worker.
  106. O’Connor’s Restaurant Ltd, trading as O’Connor’s Bar and Restaurant, Omagh, BT78, failed to pay £2,413.89 to 1 worker.
  107. WGAB Limited, trading as Excel Clothing, Newtownards, BT23, failed to pay £2,369.12 to 18 workers.
  108. ITL (North East) Limited, Gateshead, NE10, failed to pay £2,346.53 to 2 workers.
  109. Mer Manor Operations Limited, London, W1G, failed to pay £2,332.78 to 98 workers.
  110. Arcadia Group Limited, London, W1T, failed to pay £2,233.19 to 109 workers.
  111. Curran Court Hotel 2017 Limited, Larne, BT40, failed to pay £2,003.07 to 63 workers.
  112. Copona Limited – Dissolved 06/04/21, traded as Exmouth Laundry Services, Exmouth, EX8, failed to pay £1,994.61 to 1 worker.
  113. OMI Management Ltd, Glasgow, G4, failed to pay £1,983.23 to 2 workers.
  114. MJ Services East Limited – Notice of move from Administration to Dissolution 28/12/22, Grimsby, DN32, failed to pay £1,977.97 to 2 workers.
  115. Careers Advice & Learning Centre Limited – Active proposal to strike off, Leicester, LE3, failed to pay £1,972.73 to 6 workers.
  116. Disha (Newcastle) Ltd, trading as Subway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12, failed to pay £1,948.98 to 2 workers.
  117. “Core Assetz Ltd – Dissolved 26/11/19, Birmingham, B16, failed to pay £1,928.61 to 3 workers.”
  118. Phoenix Eye Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE12, failed to pay £1,917.07 to 301 workers.
  119. Arla Foods Limited, Leeds, LS10, failed to pay £1,916.60 to 14 workers.
  120. Calmac Services Limited, trading as Riverside Vets Canvey, Canvey Island, SS8, failed to pay £1,912.81 to 1 worker.
  121. Central Fitness Limited, Accrington, BB5, failed to pay £1,909.17 to 1 worker.
  122. Jettco Plastering Limited, Colchester, CO2, failed to pay £1,905.95 to 1 worker.
  123. Mr Makudur Rahman, trading as Ghandi Indian Restaurant, Exeter, EX4, failed to pay £1,896.70 to 2 workers.
  124. Mack Daddys Gloucester Road Limited – Dissolved 18/10/2022, Bristol, BS7, failed to pay £1,863.80 to 2 workers.
  125. Mr Vinodrai Pranjivanbhai Tanna, trading as Tanna Pharmacy, Harrow, HA5, failed to pay £1,815.53 to 1 worker.
  126. Grimethorpe Hand Car Wash Ltd, Barnsley, S72, failed to pay £1,793.29 to 1 worker.
  127. George Day Nurseries Limited, trading as Orpington Day Nursery, Orpington, BR6, failed to pay £1,776.75 to 4 workers.
  128. Mrs Karen Wells, trading as Cream Hair Design, South Shields, NE33, failed to pay £1,776.15 to 2 workers.
  129. Mrs Patricia Jervis, trading as Bumble Beez, Dunfermline, KY12, failed to pay £1,768.87 to 7 workers.
  130. Wren Kitchens Limited, Barton on Humber, DN18, failed to pay £1,675.73 to 16 workers.
  131. Bendart Limited, trading as Blackwell Print, Great Yarmouth, NR30, failed to pay £1,585.08 to 2 workers.
  132. Uppal Convenience Stores Limited, trading as Spar, Runcorn, WA7, failed to pay £1,574.02 to 1 worker.
  133. Mrs Zara Emma Mason, trading as The Lamb Inn, Salisbury, SP5, failed to pay £1,567.39 to 3 workers.
  134. Checkpoint Car Care Ltd – Dissolved 1/12/20, Hebden Bridge, HX7, failed to pay £1,532.25 to 2 workers.
  135. Mr Richard Woodland, trading as Woodland Autos, Chard, TA20, failed to pay £1,530.42 to 1 worker.
  136. Westbourne Leisure Limited, trading as The Strawberry Bank Hotel, Coventry, CV7, failed to pay £1,513.44 to 31 workers.
  137. The Pit Stop (Colchester) Limited, Great Bentley Colchester, CO7, failed to pay £1,474.69 to 1 worker.
  138. Mrs Helen Wilson, trading as The Hygiene Machine, Hexham, NE46, failed to pay £1,462.26 to 2 workers.
  139. Delta Ashford Op Co Limited, trading as Ashford International Hotel, Ashford, TN24, failed to pay £1,435.91 to 12 workers.
  140. Version Limited, trading as La Coupe Studio, Sheffield, S1, failed to pay £1,428.01 to 1 worker.
  141. M R Academy Limited – Dissolved 24/12/19, traded as Sugarcoat Nails, London, E15, failed to pay £1,391.42 to 3 workers.
  142. Ms Joanne Sarabia, trading as Secrets Hair & Beauty, Selby, YO8, failed to pay £1,373.90 to 1 worker.
  143. Springvale Leather Limited, Rossendale, BB4, failed to pay £1,373.23 to 1 worker.
  144. The Trading Mill Limited – Dissolved 17/03/20, Wakefield, WF1, failed to pay £1,336.33 to 4 workers.
  145. Dudley Taylor Pharmacies Limited, Warwick, CV34, failed to pay £1,276.45 to 174 workers.
  146. St. Nicholas House Ltd, Powys, SY15, failed to pay £1,178.53 to 2 workers.
  147. Whitbread Group PLC, Dunstable, LU5, failed to pay £1,118.37 to 1 worker.
  148. Glowing Global Advertising Limited – Dissolved 12/10/2021, Manchester, M1, failed to pay £1,116.99 to 4 workers.
  149. Sahara Global Ltd, trading as A1 Hand Car Wash, Dundee, DD1, failed to pay £1,087.87 to 4 workers.
  150. Delta Chesford Grange OP CO Limited, trading as Chesford Grange Hotel, Warwick, CV8, failed to pay £1,066.21 to 6 workers.
  151. Vue Cinemas (UK) Limited, London, W4, failed to pay £1,029.13 to 8 workers.
  152. Heritage Hotels Blackpool Limited – Liquidation 16/11/22, traded as Melville Hotel, Blackpool, FY1, failed to pay £1,027.65 to 2 workers.
  153. Nail Retreat London Limited – Dissolved 25/06/19, London, NW10, failed to pay £1,015.23 to 2 workers.
  154. D&M Middleton Limited, Cleckheaton, BD19, failed to pay £960.64 to 4 workers.
  155. Bar Lounge Limited, Chester, CH1, failed to pay £951.17 to 23 workers.
  156. BNP Paribas Real Estate Advisory & Property Management UK Limited, London, EC2V, failed to pay £933.12 to 3 workers.
  157. Portal Security Ltd, Glasgow, G67, failed to pay £927.61 to 55 workers.
  158. North Norfolk Hospitality Limited, trading as The Cliftonville Hotel, Cromer, NR27, failed to pay £908.56 to 3 workers.
  159. Serenity Health Care (Team) Ltd – active proposal to strike off, County Durham, TS29, failed to pay £904.09 to 2 workers.
  160. The Rides Motor Services Limited, Waltham Cross, EN8, failed to pay £877.42 to 3 workers.
  161. St. Mark’s Pre-School, Salisbury, SP1, failed to pay £870.55 to 6 workers.
  162. Little Treasures Nurseries Kirton Ltd, Kirton, PE20, failed to pay £866.01 to 2 workers.
  163. Mr Rassul Kadir, trading as Talbot Road Car Wash, Blackpool, FY1, failed to pay £864.80 to 5 workers.
  164. Mr Thomas O’Brien & Mr Lee Taylor, trading as Chambers Hair Design, Manchester, M3, failed to pay £858.90 to 1 worker.
  165. Elmhurst School Limited, South Croydon, CR2, failed to pay £829.32 to 1 worker.
  166. Amira G Foods Limited, London, W1J, failed to pay £796.43 to 1 worker.
  167. Mr R.E. Blair and Mrs June Victoria Blair, trading as Higher Trenoweth Farm, St. Austell, PL28, failed to pay £776.76 to 1 worker.
  168. Comptons 2000 Limited, Birmingham, B12, failed to pay £772.36 to 3 workers.
  169. LDH Hotels Limited, trading as The Tongue Hotel, Lairg, IV27, failed to pay £771.48 to 11 workers.
  170. Pizza & Co West Road Limited – Dissolved 15/12/20, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4, failed to pay £757.62 to 1 worker.
  171. Tangerine Properties Ltd – Dissolved 15/12/20, Cambridge, CB22, failed to pay £743.21 to 5 workers.
  172. Ms Claire Frances, trading as Claire Frances Hairdressing, Glasgow, G3, failed to pay £739.02 to 1 worker.
  173. Delta Hampshire Court Op Co Limited, trading as Hampshire Court Hotel, Basingstoke, RG24, failed to pay £737.96 to 10 workers.
  174. Delta Stratford Manor Op Co Limited, Leeds, LS27, failed to pay £728.77 to 8 workers.
  175. Fintax UK Limited, Birmingham, B8, failed to pay £727.79 to 3 workers.
  176. Forza GB (Great Britain) Ltd, Caldicot, NP26, failed to pay £721.34 to 2 workers.
  177. Benugo Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £717.80 to 12 workers.
  178. AMYU Limited – Dissolved 20/10/20, traded as Golden Spice Kebab House, Derby, DE11, failed to pay £710.20 to 4 workers.
  179. Old Plaza Ltd, Manchester, M34, failed to pay £692.60 to 15 workers.
  180. The Governors, trading as Pheasey Park Farm Primary School and Children’s Centre, Pheasey Park Farm School, Birmingham, B43, failed to pay £683.58 to 8 workers.
  181. You Me Thai Ltd – Dissolved 28/1/20, Hastings, TN34, failed to pay £667.70 to 2 workers.
  182. The Network (Field Marketing & Promotions) Company Limited, trading as JYL Hand to Hand, London, E3, failed to pay £661.37 to 14 workers.
  183. Ripon Spa Hotel Limited, Ripon, HG4, failed to pay £654.85 to 8 workers.
  184. Social Care Alba Ltd, Edinburgh, EH8, failed to pay £650.38 to 8 workers.
  185. The H Room Limited – Active proposal to strike off, Reading, RG1, failed to pay £639.67 to 4 workers.
  186. Eurotherm Limited, Telford, TF3, failed to pay £639.67 to 7 workers.
  187. Mr Henry Gornall, Mrs Joesphine Gornall, Mrs Lisa Gornall and Mr Richard Gornall, trading as The Hideaway at Windermere, Windermere, LA23, failed to pay £620.75 to 3 workers.
  188. Anthony John Salons Limited, Lichfield, WS14, failed to pay £615.46 to 1 worker.
  189. The Learning Mill Ltd, Leek, ST13, failed to pay £612.69 to 1 worker.
  190. Moses Basket Ltd, trading as Happi Feet, Bexley, DA17, failed to pay £610.65 to 10 workers.
  191. Super Noodles Catering Limited – Dissolved 8/3/22, Canterbury, CT1, failed to pay £601.24 to 1 worker.
  192. Al-Haqq UK Ltd, trading as Heavenly Desserts, Northampton, NN1, failed to pay £594.62 to 3 workers.
  193. Delta Belton Woods Op Co Limited, Grantham, NG32, failed to pay £587.56 to 3 workers.
  194. 727 Your Store Limited, Craigavon, BT62, failed to pay £580.37 to 1 worker.
  195. The Green Courier Limited, trading as Churchill Express, London, W3, failed to pay £576.08 to 1 worker.
  196. Tyre Torque Doncaster Limited, Doncaster, DN3, failed to pay £566.16 to 6 workers.
  197. United Church Schools Trust, Peterborough, PE3, failed to pay £554.82 to 2 workers.
  198. Global Education Management Systems Limited, trading as GEMS Education, London, SW1Y, failed to pay £530.42 to 1 worker.
  199. Mr Shobuz Ali, trading as Khalisa Indian Restaurant, Liverpool, L16, failed to pay £526.07 to 2 workers.
  200. JJJ-D Corporation Ltd – Liquidation 7/7/22, Bury, BL9, failed to pay £509.20 to 10 workers.
  201. Edenmore Golf & Country Club Ltd, Magheralin, BT67, failed to pay £506.52 to 11 workers.
  202. Mr Patrick Ginnelly, Nuneaton, CV11, failed to pay £502.37 to 1 worker.

Biggest ever cash increase in National Living Wage to boost pay for millions

Low-paid workers across the country will receive a pay increase this weekend as all rates of the National Minimum Wage rise.

The National Living Wage (NLW) increases on Saturday 1 April by 9.7 per cent to £10.42, providing a pay rise to millions of workers aged 23 and over across the UK. 21-22 year olds will see their pay increase by 10.9 per cent to £10.18 per hour while pay for younger workers and apprentices will also rise by 9.7 per cent.

NMW rateAnnual increase (£)Annual increase (per cent)
National Living Wage (23+)£10.420.929.7
21-22 Year Old Rate£10.181.0010.9
18-20 Year Old Rate£7.490.669.7
16-17 Year Old Rate£5.280.479.7
Apprentice Rate£5.280.479.7
Accommodation Offset£9.100.404.6

These increases follow recommendations made to the Government by the Low Pay Commission (LPC) in the autumn.

The NLW increase means another significant step towards reaching the Government’s target of two-thirds of median earnings by 2024. The increase is also expected to boost the real value of the NLW, restoring most of the real value lost since April 2021.

The LPC is now consulting on National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for April 2024 and beyond and will make its recommendations to the Government in October.

The consultation will run from 23 March to 9 June 2023. For more information, including how to submit responses, click here.

Bryan Sanderson, Chair of the Low Pay Commission, said: “From April, millions of workers will benefit from these increases to the NMW and NLW. Despite turbulent economic conditions, the labour market has remained strong and unemployment is low.

“We remain confident that this increase is unlikely to have a detrimental impact. Indeed, the high levels of inflation are felt more acutely by those on low pay who spend a higher proportion of their income on energy and food.

“The new NLW rate keeps us on track to reach the Government’s target of two-thirds of median earnings by 2024. We estimate the NLW will need to rise next year to between £10.90 and £11.43 to meet this target. We also remain committed to lowering the NLW age threshold to 21 years of age in 2024.

“In our consultation this year we are also looking beyond 2024, and inviting evidence and views on the future of minimum wage policy once the two-thirds target is achieved. The NMW is a central feature of the UK labour market and workers and employers alike will want to contribute to the debate about its future.”

The LPC has published a short report which looks ahead at what the new rates will mean, and sets out an updated path of the NLW to its target of two-thirds of median hourly earnings by 2024.

Estimating the forward path of the NLW is very challenging as earnings growth is difficult to measure and predict in the current economic climate. Our central estimate of the on-course rate of the NLW for 2024 is £11.16, within a range of £10.90 to £11.43.

Low Pay Commission: new report on compliance and enforcement of National Minimum Wage

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has published a report on non-compliance and enforcement of the minimum wage in Leicester’s textiles manufacturers.

Since 2020, multiple agencies have carried out large-scale joint enforcement operations in Leicester, partly in response to persistent reports of exploitation and underpayment. Low Pay Commissioners heard evidence on the forces driving non-compliance and what enforcement bodies have found.

At the heart of this evidence is a disconnect: enforcement bodies have found relatively modest non-compliance in Leicester, while Commissioners spoke to other bodies and individuals who believed non-compliance to be widespread and flagrant.

Today’s report looks at three potential explanations for this disparity.

  • Firstly, on the positive side, recent changes within the textiles industry mean some evidence of underpayment may be historic and so less reflective of current situation.
  • Secondly, the vulnerability of workers means they may be reluctant to provide information.
  • Thirdly, there remains potential for employers to conceal underpayment from investigating bodies.

Bryan Sanderson, Chair of the LPC, said: “The evidence we heard from workers in Leicester was striking. Despite some positive recent progress, job insecurity, a poisonous workplace culture and low expectations leave workers trapped in poor-quality jobs and vulnerable to exploitation.

“These same factors mean they are unlikely to report abuses, which undermines efforts to enforce workers’ rights.

“The case of Leicester is not unique. Across the UK, workers in precarious positions face the same obstacles, with the same consequences for enforcement. The problem demands comprehensive action, including to give these workers greater security over their hours and incomes.”

Low Pay Commissioners make several recommendations for Government:

  • The process for reporting abuses does not work for the most vulnerable low-paid workers; but it also fails to engage the third-party bodies whom workers may trust more, or wider industry networks. Commissioners recommend HMRC looks at ways to address these problems.
  • There is an ‘information gap’ between what industry and civil society groups think they have reported to official bodies, and what those official bodies are able to share and act on. A forthcoming official review of enforcement operations in Leicester should take into account evidence from both sides of this gap.
  • Insecure work and uncertainty over hours and incomes are central to the vulnerability of workers to exploitation. Low Pay Commissioners urge the Government to take action on the measures recommended by the Commission in 2018 to address these issues.

Read the LPC’s report

2022_LPC_enforcement_report_FINALDownload

Pay boost for millions as National Minimum and Living Wage rates go up from today

  • Around 2.5 million UK workers will receive a pay rise, as the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage increase today 
  • £1,000 a year pay rise for full time workers following the largest ever uplift to the National Living Wage for workers aged 23 and over.
  • Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng: “While no government can control the global factors pushing up the cost of everyday essentials, we will absolutely act wherever we can to mitigate rising costs.”

Millions of UK workers will receive a pay rise from today (Friday 1 April), as the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rise comes into effect.

The uplift in wages, which will benefit around 2.5 million people, includes the largest ever increase to the National Living Wage. It will put £1,000 a year more into full-time workers’ pay packets, helping to ease cost of living pressures.

With today’s rise, the yearly earnings of a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will have increased by over £5,000 since the introduction of the National Living Wage by the Government in April 2016.

As a direct result of government action, the current number of employees on the payroll is over 600,000 more than pre-pandemic levels – and unemployment has fallen to 3.9%.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “We have never been more determined to make work pay, and by providing the biggest cash increase ever to the National Living Wage from today, we are giving a boost to millions of UK workers.

“While no government can control the global factors pushing up the cost of everyday essentials, we will absolutely act wherever we can to mitigate rising costs.

“With more employees on the payroll than ever before, this government will continue to stand up for workers.”

Today’s uplift will particularly benefit workers in sectors such as retail, hospitality and cleaning and maintenance. Apprentices will also get a large 11.9% increase to their minimum hourly pay, with 21-22 year-olds seeing an immediate 9.8% rise. The National Living Wage, the minimum wage for over 23-year-olds, will now move up to £9.50 an hour.

Last year, the age threshold for the rate moved from age 25 to 23, meaning that more young workers are now eligible for a higher wage.

The new National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates are both statutory minimums, and businesses are encouraged to pay workers above these whenever they can afford to do so.

Recent studies show significant benefits for employers who pay their staff higher wages, which includes higher job retention and staff productivity.

In full, the increases from 1 April 2022 are:

Picture1

With the rates going up from today, workers across the UK are being urged to check they are being paid properly. This can be done by visiting the Check Your Pay site, which also offers advice on what to do if you are being underpaid.

The Government also today announced it will be launching a communications campaign in the coming weeks to help increase understanding among minimum and living wage earners around the wages they are legally entitled to, as well as the steps they can take if they are concerned they are being underpaid.

Record increases in global gas prices this year saw the Energy Price Cap, set by the independent regulator Ofgem, rise by 54%. While a worrying time for households, the price cap continues to insulate millions of households from high wholesale gas prices.

Today’s uplift comes alongside further government measures worth over £9.1 billion to support people across the UK with rising energy bills, with the majority of households receiving £350 in total. This will help over 28 million households affected by the large spike in global energy prices, protecting them from half of the average forecast bill rise.

The package includes a £150 rebate in Council Tax bills for all households in Bands A-D in England – 80% of households – with payments being made from today (1 April 2022), and a £200 reduction in energy bills for all households from October 2022 through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

This contributes to wider government support to ease cost of living pressures worth £22billion next financial year as well as government plans to drive £6 billion into making homes more energy efficient over the next ten years, which is vital to keeping household energy costs down.

The government is also announcing further help for low-income households to meet energy costs with the publication of consultation responses on the extension of the Warm Homes Discount and Energy Company Obligation schemes. 

The Warm Homes Discount scheme is being extended until 2025/26 and expanded to reduce the energy costs of around £3 million low-income and vulnerable households every year, while the Energy Company Obligation scheme will see £1 billion annual funding until 2026 to help upgrade energy efficiency measures in 450,000 homes, cutting an average of £300 off energy bills. 

Going even further to ease the cost of living, last week as part of the Spring Statement, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a new Tax Plan, including cuts to fuel duty by 5p per litre, and that energy efficiency measures can be installed in homes VAT free for the first time ever.

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “This historic increase will mean a pay rise for millions of hard-working Brits – with an average full-time worker pocketing an extra £1,000 a year.

“We’re doing everything we can to ensure people keep more of what they earn in these challenging times, with a new Tax Plan that delivers tax cuts for nearly 30 million people as well as £22billion to help with the cost of living.”

Bryan Sanderson Chair of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) said: “The Business Secretary’s strong support is especially welcome at this difficult time. Workers on the minimum wage; care for our elderly and sick, harvest and deliver our food, and do a multitude of other tasks which help us all.

“Many public sector workers including for example teaching assistants will also shortly be included. They all deserve to be properly remunerated and respected as key members of our society.

“The Low Pay Commission met with around a hundred representative bodies last year before making its recommendations. We are frequently their main sometimes even their only advocates. With government support we will continue to try to ensure that they do not suffer from the neglect which was so often characteristic of the past.”

Budget Briefing: Wage boost for millions of low-paid workers

  • The UK’s lowest-paid workers will receive a pay rise next year as the National Living Wage increases from £8.91 to £9.50 an hour – an extra £1000 a year for a full-time worker.
  • From 1 April, young people and apprentices will also see their wages boosted as the National Minimum Wage for people aged 21-22 goes up to £9.18 an hour and Apprentice Rate increases to £4.81 an hour.
  • This builds on the government’s continued action to support people with the cost of living including through the £500 million Household Support Fund, Energy Price Cap, Seasonal Cold Weather Payments and Warm Homes Discount, and keeps the government on track to meet its target to end low pay by 2024-25.

MILLIONS of the UK’s lowest paid workers will benefit from a pay rise next year, as the UK government takes further action to help the country’s poorest households.  

The Chancellor is expected to confirm at Wednesday’s Budget and Spending Review that the National Living Wage will increase from £8.91 to £9.50 an hour – a 59p an hour boost which means a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will see a pay rise of more than £1,000 a year.

The National Living Wage was introduced in 2016 and sets the minimum hourly pay a person over the age of 23 can earn when working.

Rishi Sunak is also set to announce a wage rise for young people under the age of 23. For those aged 21-22 the National Minimum Wage rate increases to £9.18 an hour, up from £8.36 – a 82p increase.

With apprenticeships a key part of our Plan for Jobs, the minimum hourly wage for an apprentice will also see a boost next year, with an 18 year old apprentice in an industry like construction seeing their minimum hourly pay increase by nearly 12%, going from £4.30 to £4.81 an hour.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: “This is a government that is on the side of working people. This wage boost ensures we’re making work pay and keeps us on track to meet our target to end low pay by the end of this Parliament.” 

By introducing these changes, which are broadly consistent with previous increases, the government accepts all recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission – an independent advisory board which brings together economists, employer and employee representatives.

“The government remains committed to meeting its ambitious target of a National Living Wage of two-thirds of median earnings and expanding it to include workers over the age of 21 by 2024, provided economic conditions allow.

Since 2010, this government has continuously supported working people on the lowest wages – doubling personal tax thresholds, doubling free childcare for eligible working parents – worth up to £5,000 per child per year. It has also expanded Free School Meals to all five to seven-year-olds – saving families £400 a year.

This builds on recent action to support the lowest earners in the winter months, through measures like the £500 million Household Support Fund to help families with their food and utility costs, the Energy Price Cap, Seasonal Cold Weather Payments, and the Warm Homes Discount to ensure low-income households can keep their homes warm over the winter period.

As we enter the next stage of the Plan for Jobs, an extra £500m will also be invested to give people the skills and support they need to find good work as we build back better from the pandemic.

HMRC reveals absurd excuses for not paying Minimum Wage

While the vast majority of employers pay their employees at least the National Minimum Wage, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has today released some of the most absurd excuses used for not paying the legal minimum.

Last year (2020 to 2021) HMRC helped more than 155,000 workers across the UK recover more than £16 million in pay which was due to them, and also issued more than £14 million in penalties.

Some of the most ridiculous excuses for flouting the law included:

  1. “She does not deserve the National Minimum Wage because she only makes the teas and sweeps the floors.”
  2. “The employee was not a good worker, so I did not think they deserved to be paid the National Minimum Wage.”
  3. “My accountant and I speak a different language – he does not understand me, and that is why he does not pay my workers the correct wages.”
  4. “My employee is still learning so they are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage.”
  5. “It is part of UK culture not to pay young workers for the first three months as they have to prove their ‘worth’ first.”
  6. “The National Minimum Wage does not apply to my business.”
  7. “I have got an agreement with my workers that I will not pay them the National Minimum Wage; they understand, and they even signed a contract to this effect.”
  8. “I thought it was okay to pay young workers below the National Minimum Wage as they are not British and therefore do not have the right to be paid it.”
  9. “My workers like to think of themselves as being self-employed and the National Minimum Wage does not apply to people who work for themselves.”
  10. “My workers are often just on standby when there are no customers in the shop; I only pay them for when they are actually serving someone.”

Steve Timewell, Director Individuals and Small Business Compliance, HMRC, said: “The majority of UK employers pay their workers at least the National Minimum Wage, but this list shows some of the excuses provided to our enforcement officers by less scrupulous businesses. Being underpaid is no joke for workers, so we always apply the law and take action. Workers cannot be asked or told to sign-away their rights.

“We are making sure that workers are being paid what they are entitled to and, as the economy reopens, reminding employers of the rules and the help that is available to them.

“HMRC reviews every complaint made about the minimum wage, so if you think you are being short-changed, or are a business that is unsure of the rules or needs help to get things right, get in touch and we will help you. But any employer deliberately or unapologetically underpaying their staff will face hefty fines and other enforcement action.”

The National Minimum Wage hourly rates are currently:

·         £8.91 – Age 23 or over (National Living Wage)

  • £8.36 – Age 21 to 22
  • £6.56 – Age 18 to 20
  • £4.62 – Age under 18
  • £4.30 – Apprentice.

HMRC is reminding workers to check the hourly rate of pay they are actually getting, and to also check any deductions or unpaid working time, as part of the Government’s commitment to build back fairer from the pandemic.

Anyone not being paid what they are entitled to can complain online at https://www.gov.uk/minimum-wage-complaint.

If they want to speak with someone, in confidence, they should phone the Acas Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0300 123 1100, who can transfer the call to HMRC.

Employers can also contact the Acas Helpline for free help and advice or visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/calculating-the-minimum-wage to find out more.