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The UK government has publicly disclosed a list of over 600 businesses that failed to pay their employees at least the national minimum wage. Among the named companies are prominent names such as the DIY retailer B&Q and the fast food chain Five Guys. According to the Department for Business and Trade, these businesses have been required to reimburse workers a total of £4 million in overdue wages. Additionally, the government imposed penalties amounting to £7 million on these employers.
B&Q explained that the wage shortfalls were unintentional, attributing them to miscalculations involving geographical allowances added on top of minimum hourly rates. The company confirmed that all affected staff received full back pay in July 2025. Five Guys cited “technical differences in how payroll regulations were applied,” noting that HM Revenue and Customs identified the underpayments during a payroll review. The fast food chain stated it cooperated fully with HMRC and has completed all necessary payments to current and former employees.
The list released includes 658 entities spanning a variety of sectors, such as retail, hospitality, childcare, social care, and multiple NHS trusts. For example, St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospital Group underpaid 75 employees by over £123,000, while St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London also appeared on the list with underpayments to 55 staff members. Hospital representatives described the issues as technical compliance problems related to how certain salary sacrifice schemes, for items like childcare, were treated in national minimum wage calculations. Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust acknowledged that apprentices had been underpaid between 2019 and 2023 due to uncounted work activities, and the trust has since revised its policies.
Government officials emphasized their commitment to eradicating these breaches of wage law. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated, “The best businesses know that looking after your workers isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.” The Minister for the Future of Work, Kate Dearden, added, “Underpaying your staff is illegal, and we will not let workers foot the bill for their boss failing to follow the rules.” She urged all employers to review their payroll systems immediately and seek help from Acas if needed. This announcement marks the inaugural “naming and shaming” publication since the Fair Work Agency’s establishment in April, which will also soon enforce regulations regarding holiday and sick pay entitlements. Chair of the agency’s advisory board, Matthew Taylor, reinforced the message that paying the minimum wage is mandatory by law and urged employers to comply or face enforcement action
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