Issued by: Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and the Fair Work Agency

Around £4 million has been repaid to 27,000 workers.

• Latest list of employers who have underpaid workers revealed as Government hands enforcement powers to new dedicated body.

• Around 660 employers named for failing to pay staff the National Minimum Wage, with £4 million returned directly to workers.

• Thousands of workers given more room to breathe as robust enforcement action ensures they receive the pay they are legally owed.

Hundreds of employers have been named today for failing to pay their staff the minimum wage, as the Government continues its drive to give working people more room to breathe and deliver inclusive growth in every postcode.

Around £4 million has been returned to over 27,000 workers who had been denied the pay they were legally owed, with penalties totalling £7 million issued to the employers responsible.

Today’s naming round is the latest step in the Government’s commitment to publish naming lists more regularly so that bosses are swiftly held to account and make improvements as soon as possible. Since first launching in 2011, more than £100 million in penalties have been issued to over 5,200 employers, leading to over £66 million being repaid to 650,000 workers.

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 for the Future of Work Kate Dearden said:

"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."

It is also the first ‘naming round’ since the Fair Work Agency was set up in April. This brand-new enforcement body was formed through the recently passed Employment Rights Act to bring workers’ rights enforcement under one roof for the first time.

Offering a single, streamlined place where employers will be able to get guidance on how to follow the rules, the Fair Work Agency will have more muscle to ensure that workers across the country get every penny they are owed, giving families more room to breathe.

This not only includes enforcing payment of the minimum wage but is soon set to tackle those who break the law by denying holiday and sick pay.

Chair of the Fair Work Agency Advisory Board Matthew Taylor said:

"The Fair Work Agency is here to make it easier for employers to understand and meet their responsibilities, while taking firm action where workers are denied the pay they are legally owed.

"This naming round is an important reminder that paying the minimum wage is not optional — it is the law. Most employers want to do the right thing, and we will support them to comply, but those who fall short should expect robust enforcement to protect workers and maintain a fair playing field for responsible businesses.

"We are urging all employers to check their payroll, review their processes and correct any mistakes now, so every worker receives the pay they are entitled to."

Notes to editors:

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

• Workers and employers can visit the Acas website for free, impartial and confidential advice or complain they have been underpaid at Pay and work rights helpline and complaints [https://www.gov.uk/pay-and-work-rights]. Workers and employers in Northern Ireland can contact the Labour Relations Agency [https://www.gov.uk/pay-and-work-rights].

• The minimum wage law applies to most workers [https://tinyurl.com/4cbahtka] across all parts of the UK. By law workers must be paid at least the minimum wage for their age, or apprentice status, for all their time spent working.

• Educational bulletin for employers: Round 24 Educational Bulletin (MS Word Document, 203 KB) [https://tinyurl.com/3vmx3bkv]

• Employers should always carry out the necessary checks – see the guidance: Calculating the Minimum Wage [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/calculating-the-minimum-wage]

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) enforces the minimum wage on behalf of the Fair Work Agency.

• HMRC considers all complaints from workers, so workers are being reminded to check their pay with advice available through the Check your pay website [https://checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk]

• National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates:

April 2026

21 and over £12.71

18 to 20 £10.85

Under 18 £8

Apprentice £8

The list of employers being named for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage is provided here:

Round 24 Naming Publication Spreadsheet (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 102 KB) [https://tinyurl.com/4rrzw7bn]

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