Peterlee companies named and shamed over National Minimum Wage

Business Minister, Nick Boles has announced that 92 companies have failed to stump up the right amount and between them £1,873,712 in arrears.

USUK Ltd, trading as Urban Style in Peterlee, was found to owe £712.05 to four employees and Illingworth Moor Retail Ltd, trading at Subway in Peterlee, owed £102.96 to two employees.

Since the National Minimum Wage scheme was introduced in October 2013, 490 employers have been named and shamed, with total arrears of over £3,000,000 and total penalties of over £1,100,000.

Mr Boles said: "As a one nation government on the side of working people we are determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage receives it. There is no excuse for not paying staff the wages they’re entitled to.

“Our policy of naming and shaming employers who ignore the law means there are consequences for their reputation as well as their wallets."

On 1 October 2015, the National Minimum Wage rose to £6.70 an hour. Employers should be aware of the different rates for the National Minimum Wage depending on the circumstances of their workers.

The 92 recent cases were investigated by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).