Companies accused of underpaying staff named and shamed

260 employers across the UK failed to pay 16,000 workers Credit: PA

Four companies in the Border region have been accused by the government of paying staff less than the minimum wage.

This comes as the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy today named 260 employers across the UK for failing to pay 16,000 workers at least minimum wage rates.

The employers named in the Border region are:

  • Low Wood Hotel, Windermere failed to pay £7,341.25 to 34 workers.

  • Annandale Bed and Bath Service Limited, Dumfries and Galloway, failed to pay £1,803.22 to 3 workers.

  • Fletcher Contract Cleaning Limited, Wigton, failed to pay £569.04 to 10 workers.

  • Tomlinson Wightman Ltd, Kendal, failed to pay £462.5 to 3 workers.

The 260 employers identified have been fined a total of £1.3 million, leading to £1.7 million in back pay for underpaid workers.

Overall, retail, hospitality and hairdressing were seen to be the worst industries for underpaying staff.

Common reasons for underpayments include failing to pay for travel costs between jobs, deducting wages to pay for uniforms and not paying for overtime.

Business Minister Margot James said: