The Government has failed to name companies who are underpaying staff despite continually promising to “name and shame” those who are breaking the law.
Critics have stated that the failure to inform the public about which companies are breaking the rules are showing that the government are not serious about tackling the minimum wage issue and eradicating poverty.
Since tougher rules on non-payment of the wage were introduced in 2013, HM Revenue and Customs has investigated 1,004 complaints against employers.
Of those investigated, 398 firms have been named after they were found to be underpaying staff. 165 have not been identified because their total arrears to employees were less than £100. 27 companies have successfully argued they have not broken the law. Despite the criticism, the Department for Business said its priority was to ensure that any wage arrears owed to workers were paid rather than naming employers before them settling what they owe.
The department added that there was a delay in the naming of companies as employers had two chances to appeal before they suffered the reputational damage of being publicly identified, but, that a list of names could be expected shortly.
