Tag: Scottish workers

Over £220,000 repaid to workers in Scotland as Government cracks down on employers underpaying their staff

  • From Strathaven to the Isle of Skye, 46 employers fined over £400,000 for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage.
  • Across the UK, around £6 million put back into the pockets of working people as Government delivers the biggest overhaul of workers’ rights in a generation, as part of its Plan for Change. 
  • Enforcement of workers’ rights is set to be beefed up through new Fair Work Agency which will shield workers from employers who flout the law. 

46 employers who failed to pay the minimum wage have been named (Friday 17 October) as the Government takes direct action to Make Work Pay.  

Around 700 workers in Scotland have been repaid by their employers, including well-known high street brands, with employers receiving fines totalling over £400,000 for breaking the rules. 

This strong enforcement doesn’t just protect workers; it protects those businesses who do right by their staff from being undercut. By taking swift action against these employers, the Government is sending a clear message that it will not tolerate those who short-change their workers, regardless of their size or sector. 

Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said: “This government is taking direct action to ensure workers get every penny they’ve earned, and to put an end to bad businesses undercutting good ones.  

“We are proud to have delivered a strong minimum wage and enforcing it thoroughly is crucial in our mission to put pounds back in your pocket.  

“I know this news will be welcomed by brilliant businesses across the country, those who know that happy well-paid staff are at the heart of building a successful company.  

“With our new Fair Work Agency and the coming Employment Rights Bill, this government is keeping our promise to Britain to make work pay again” 

Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: “Every Scottish worker deserves the pay they are entitled to. Our government is delivering real change for working people  – boosting the minimum wage for 200,000 of Scotland’s lowest-paid workers and taking action against employers who break the rules.  

“We are bringing in the biggest upgrade to workers rights in a generation and we will not tolerate employers who short-change their staff.” 

This action comes as the Government introduces the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights and enforcement for a generation through its Plan to Make Work Pay, which is set to directly benefit around 15 million, or half of all UK, workers.  

As well as ensuring hard work is properly rewarded with fair treatment and decent pay, from April 2026 the Employment Rights Bill will also establish a new Fair Work Agency with more powers to tackle employers underpaying workers and failing to pay holiday and sick pay. 

Today’s announcement follows significant increases to National Minimum Wage rates earlier this year. From April, millions got a pay rise with those on the National Living Wage who work full-time seeing their families supported by an extra £1,400 per year.  

·                  If workers suspect they are being underpaid, they can visit gov.uk/checkyourpay to find out more about what they can do. 

·                  Workers can also call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 or visit their website for free, impartial and confidential advice or complain to HMRC at Pay and work rights helpline and complaints 

·                  The minimum wage law applies to all parts of the UK. 

·                  Employers should always carry out the necessary checks – see the guidance: Calculating the Minimum Wage 

·                  HMRC consider all complaints from workers, so workers are being reminded to check their pay with advice available through the Check your pay website 

·                  National Living Wage and National Minimum wage rates: 

 2024 rate 2025 rate 
National Living Wage (21 and over) £11.44 £12.21 
18 to 20 £8.60 £10.00 
Under 18 £6.40 £7.55 
Apprentice £6.40 £7.55 

Educational bulletin 

We are committed to educating employers and have released an educational bulletin today to increase awareness of National Minimum Wage legislation and inform companies on how to make sure they’re paying workers correctly. 

List of employers: 

Crieff Hydro Limited, Crieff, PH7, failed to pay £33,992.50 to 131 workers. 
J. Puddleducks Childcare Limited , Aberdeen, AB21, failed to pay £30,057.05 to 62 workers. 
Mr James D Oakden & Mrs Frances I Hay Smith, Cupar, KY14, failed to pay £28,379.95 to 7 workers. 
Stena Line PTE Ltd, Glasgow, G3, failed to pay £20,585.44 to 11 workers. 
Seada Uaine Ltd, Isle of Jura, PA60, failed to pay £11,190.12 to 18 workers. 
Little Me Nursery Limited, Glasgow, G20, failed to pay £7,841.61 to 15 workers. 
Windscreen Services (argyll) Ltd, Oban, PA34, failed to pay £7,191.37 to 3 workers. 
David Bryson & Sons Limited, Prestwick, KA9, failed to pay £6,766.94 to 25 workers. 
Rompers Private Nursery Limited, Montrose, DD10, failed to pay £6,311.47 to 5 workers. 
Peebles Hydro Limited, Peebles, EH45, failed to pay £4,328.91 to 28 workers. 
J S K Retail (GLW) Ltd, Alloa, FK10, failed to pay £4,007.92 to 1 worker. 
K & P Cooper Ltd, Annan, DG12, failed to pay £3,920.18 to 1 worker. 
Ballathie House Hotel Company Limited, Stanley, PH1, failed to pay £3,445.15 to 33 workers. 
Wright Hardware Limited, Prestwick, KA9, failed to pay £3,279.84 to 77 workers. 
Mr James D Oakden & Mrs Sarah Oakden, Cupar, KY14, failed to pay £3,191.72 to 2 workers. 
Driveline Holdings Limited, Grangemouth, FK3, failed to pay £3,055.00 to 3 workers. 
Mackay Hotel Company Ltd, Wick, KW1, failed to pay £3,051.03 to 3 workers. 
The Daisychain Nursery Kirkcaldy Ltd., Kirkcaldy, KY1, failed to pay £2,825.67 to 14 workers. 
ABY Autos Ltd, Hamilton, ML3, failed to pay £2,630.57 to 1 worker. 
Ms Anne Myles, Miss Stacey Myles & Miss Teri Devine, Dundee, DD4, failed to pay £2,511.75 to 5 workers. 
Sinclair Nursery Limited, Glasgow, G42, failed to pay £2,501.34 to 2 workers. 
Gemmell Hammond Limited, Arbroath, DD11, failed to pay £2,422.76 to 1 worker. 
Spring Engineering Services Limited, Livingston, EH54, failed to pay £2,222.96 to 3 workers. 
Cinemaattic Productions CIC, Edinburgh, EH8, failed to pay £2,029.46 to 2 workers. 
Mr Edward Phillips, Coatbridge, ML5, failed to pay £2,019.00 to 2 workers. 
Kingswellies Nursery Limited, Aberdeen, AB15, failed to pay £1,928.05 to 4 workers. 
MacPhails Coaches Limited, Shotts, ML7, failed to pay £1,879.85 to 12 workers. 
Thistle Alterations Ltd, Aberdeen, AB10, failed to pay £1,874.47 to 2 workers. 
Seaforth Hotels Limited, Helensburgh, G84, failed to pay £1,807.14 to 5 workers. 
MJM Builders Limited, Glasgow, G68, failed to pay £1,773.07 to 1 worker. 
The Three Chimneys (Scotland) Limited, Isle of Skye, IV55, failed to pay £1,527.83 to 7 workers. 
Mrs Anna K Bednarz, Isle Of Skye, IV49, failed to pay £1,520.00 to 1 worker. 
Enchanted Forest Nursery Limited , Bishopton, PA7, failed to pay £1,482.59 to 4 workers. 
Crinan Hotel (Argyll) Limited (The), Crinan, PA31, failed to pay £1,317.86 to 24 workers. 
Bar Aldo Limited, Alloa, FK10, failed to pay £1,268.63 to 11 workers. 
Abby Cleaning (Scotland) Ltd, Glasgow, G22, failed to pay £1,002.80 to 49 workers. 
Orchard Grove Nurseries Limited, Paisley, PA1, failed to pay £834.33 to 1 worker. 
Pace & Bene Limited, Kilwinning, KA13, failed to pay £814.59 to 1 worker. 
Crofthead Holiday Park Limited, Ayr, KA6, failed to pay £763.43 to 1 worker. 
Mr Alexander Stuart, Mrs Freda Thomson Stuart, Mrs Emma Jane Stuart, Mr Grant Reid, Dunning, PH2, failed to pay £741.43 to 1 worker. 
Event Evolution Limited, Port Glasgow, PA14, failed to pay £686.67 to 4 workers. 
The Rissco Collection Limited, Strathaven, ML10, failed to pay £680.25 to 25 workers. 
Ubiquitous Chip Ltd, Dunbar, EH42, failed to pay £675.13 to 47 workers. 
Mackie’s Limited, Rothienorman, AB51, failed to pay £568.13 to 2 workers. 
New Inn Hotel Limited, Ellon, AB41, failed to pay £538.71 to 15 workers. 
Mazaj Dundee Limited, Dundee, DD1, failed to pay £529.65 to 16 workers. 

UK Government ‘rewards work’ with £833 a year boost for Scottish workers

  • Average worker in Scotland will be £833 better off a year as government cuts taxes 
  • Over 2.4 million workers in Scotland will benefit as National Insurance cuts hit pay packets this month 
  • 27 million employees to benefit across the country from tax cuts that reward work and grow the economy 

The typical worker in Scotland will be £833 better off thanks to successive cuts to employee National Insurance contributions (NICs), which hit pay packets this month. 

27 million workers across the UK will see a boost to their take-home pay from 6 April, with over 2.4 million people to benefit in Scotland alone. 

The savings are a result of successive cuts to NICs announced by the Chancellor, slashing the main rate of employee NICs from 12% to 8% and the main rate of self-employed NICs from 9% to 6%. 

These cuts are possible because the economy is turning a corner, thanks to the government’s decisive action to bring inflation down from 11.1% to 3.4%. The government is sticking to its economic plan and in the longer-term, it has the ambition to cut NICs further, ending the unfair double tax on work.  

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “The tax cuts coming into force this week show that our economic plan is working, putting £833 a year back into the pockets of working people across Scotland. 

“People will start to see this saving in their pay packet this month and, when it’s responsible to do so, we will go further – ending the unfair double tax on those who earn their income through work.” 

Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said: “It’s fantastic that this second 2p cut to National Insurance, on top of the first 2p cut in January, is putting more money in the pockets of hard-working Scots from today. Around 2.4 million Scottish workers will be £833 per year better off, on average.  

“It’s all part of our plan to increase prosperity and grow the economy. And with inflation expected to fall to target next quarter, our measures are working.” 

Taking the NICs reforms across Autumn Statement and Spring Budget together, this is an overall tax cut worth over £20 billion per year, the largest ever cut to employee and self-employed National Insurance. 

Due to the combined cuts to employee and self-employed NICs, the OBR forecast that total hours worked will increase by the equivalent of almost 200,000 full-time workers by 2028-29 and help grow the economy.  

These changes mean that for single individuals on average salaries, personal taxes would have been lower in the UK than in France, Germany and every other G7 economy, based on the most recent OECD data.