Work TV

MINIMUM WAGE - These companies have been found to be paying workers below the National Minimum Wage. 

Following investigations by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, a total of £2.1 million was found to be owed to over 34,000 workers.

The breaches took place between 2011 and 2018. Named employers have since been made to pay back what they owed, and were fined an additional £3.2 million, showing it is never acceptable to underpay workers.

The UK government recently gave millions a pay rise, by increasing National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates in April 2021. The rise means someone working full time on the National Living Wage will be taking home £5,400 more annually than they were in 2010. Every single UK worker is entitled to the National Minimum Wage, no matter their age or profession.

Whilst not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, it has always been the responsibility of all employers to abide by the law. Clear guidance is available on gov.uk, which all employers should check.

Minimum wage breaches can occur when workers are being paid on or just above the minimum wage rate, and then have deductions from their pay for uniform or accommodation.

The employers named below previously underpaid workers in the following ways:

• 47% wrongly deducted pay from workers’ wages, including for uniform and expenses
• 30% failed to pay workers for all the time they had worked, such as when they worked overtime
• 19% paid the incorrect apprenticeship rate

Business Minister Paul Scully said:

Our minimum wage laws are there to ensure a fair day’s work gets a fair day’s pay – it is unacceptable for any company to come up short.

All employers, including those on this list, need to pay workers properly.

This government will continue to protect workers’ rights vigilantly, and employers that short-change workers won’t get off lightly.

Employers who pay workers less than the minimum wage have to pay back arrears of wages to the worker at current minimum wage rates. They also face hefty financial penalties of up to 200% of arrears - capped at £20,000 per worker - which are paid to the government. Since 2015 the government has ordered employers to repay over £100 million to 1 million workers.

A significant number of the minimum wage breaches identified today affected those on apprenticeships. Today the government has published new guidance to ensure employers know exactly what they need to do to pay their apprentices, and all workers, correctly.

National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme Round 17, August 2021: educational bulletin (PDF, 541KB, 7 pages)

The government is committed to protecting workers’ rights and while the vast majority of businesses follow the law and uphold workers’ rights, the publication of this list serves as a reminder to employers that the government will take action against those who fail to pay their employees the minimum wage.

As well as advice for employers, HMRC offers advice for all workers on how to ensure they are being paid correctly via the Check your pay website.

Chair of the Low Pay Commission Bryan Sanderson said:

These are very difficult times for all workers, particularly those on low pay who are often undertaking critical tasks in a variety of key sectors including care. The minimum wage provides a crucial level of support and compliance is essential for the benefit of both the recipients and our society as a whole.

Notes to editors

• the minimum wage law applies to all parts of the UK
• employers should always carry out the necessary checks and information can be found: see the Calculating the Minimum Wage guidance
• for further information on paying the minimum wage and top tips to make sure you’re paying apprentices properly, please see the educational bulletin:
  National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme Round 17, August 2021: educational bulletin (PDF, 541KB, 7 pages)
• the Naming Scheme was paused in 2018 so that an evaluation into its effectiveness could be carried out. On 11 February 2020 the government announced that the Naming Scheme would resume, and the last round took place on 31 December 2020. See more information on the last round
• the government undertook a review of the Naming Scheme last year to ascertain its effectiveness and ensure Naming was used in the most efficient way. The review was published on 11 February 2020

List of employers named in Round 17

This is the full list of employers being named and shamed for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage, with fuller detail provided in the attached spreadsheet:

National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme, Round 17: employers named for underpayment, August 2021 (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 66KB)

• John Lewis plc, Westminster, SW1E, failed to pay £941355.67 to 19392 workers
• Martin McColl Retail Limited, Brentwood, CM15, failed to pay £258047.8 to 4366 workers
• One Stop Stores Limited, Walsall, WS8, failed to pay £56505.04 to 2631 workers
• Welcome Break Holdings Limited, Milton Keynes, MK16, failed to pay £49031.77 to 1591 workers
• Sword Security (N.I.) Ltd (now under new ownership), Belfast, BT7, failed to pay £44280.74 to 160 workers
• The Body Shop International Limited, Arun, BN17, failed to pay £34670.81 to 959 workers
• Methodist Homes, Derby, DE1, failed to pay £29244.25 to 6 workers
• Britannia Jinky Jersey Limited, trading as Pontins, Sefton, PR8, failed to pay £29027.33 to 954 workers
• Millenium Care Ltd, Neath Port Talbot, SA11, failed to pay £28871.77 to 40 workers
• KRM Limited, trading as First Steps Day Nursery, Craven, BD23, failed to pay £28378.7 to 25 workers
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK Limited, Runnymede, TW20, failed to pay £25438.82 to 65 workers
• Menai Meats (Wales) Limited, Gwynedd council, L55, failed to pay £23558.16 to 34 workers
• The Sheffield United Football Club Limited, Sheffield, S2, failed to pay £21802.17 to 25 workers
• Mrs Lynda Quigley, trading as Child’s Play, Kirklees, WF13, failed to pay £20402.45 to 40 workers
• Amna Care Domiciliary Ltd, South Tyneside, NE33, failed to pay £18574.02 to 65 workers
• Peak Building Services Limited - Liquidated 19 October 2018, Amber Valley, DE56, failed to pay £14732.31 to 23 workers
• Circadian Trust, trading as Sphere Leisure Ltd, South Gloucestershire, BS35, failed to pay £13828.01 to 290 workers
• Worcestershire County Cricket Trading Limited, Worcester, WR2, failed to pay £12919.37 to 2 workers
• Eishtec UK Limited, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, BT66, failed to pay £12504.46 to 157 workers
• Fresh-Pak Chilled Foods Limited, Barnsley, S73, failed to pay £11487.93 to 274 workers
• Travel Joy Hostels Limited, trading as The King William IV, Westminster, SW1V, failed to pay £10673.59 to 2 workers
• Burningfold Limited, Waverley, GU8, failed to pay £9916.36 to 1 worker
• Pret A Manger (Europe) Limited, Westminster, SW1E, failed to pay £9679.91 to 33 workers
• 7 to 10 Food & Wine Ltd, Cardiff, CF3, failed to pay £9573.74 to 2 workers
• Mrs Sonia Anderson & Mrs Jean Martin, trading as First Steps Nursery, Craven, BD23, failed to pay £9156.09 to 25 workers
• T S Lee & Son Limited, trading as CPR Skip Hire, Calderdale, HD6, failed to pay £8880.43 to 13 workers
• Aire Valley Frozen Foods Limited, Bradford, BD21, failed to pay £8823.37 to 20 workers
• Marshall Motor Group Limited, Cambridge, CB5, failed to pay £8816.31 to 16 workers
• DDV Hairdressing Limited, trading as Tony & Guy, Bournemouth Borough Council, BH1, failed to pay £8685.57 to 5 workers
• Otium Entertainment Group Limited, trading as Coventry City Football Club, Rugby, CV8, failed to pay £8180.25 to 194 workers
• Harratts of Wakefield Limited, trading as Harratts Kia, Wakefield, WF2, failed to pay £7863.82 to 26 workers
• Shabab Express Limited, Leeds, LS1, failed to pay £6783.69 to 14 workers
• APC Care Limited, Wealden, BN27, failed to pay £6311.6 to 39 workers
• Soya World Limited, trading as Soya, Elmbridge, KT13, failed to pay £6156.93 to 2 workers
• Your Local Food & Wine Ltd, trading as Premier, County Durham, DL15, failed to pay £6144.27 to 6 workers
• HPJ (GX) Ltd, trading as Jungs, Buckinghamshire Council, SL9, failed to pay £6059.37 to 5 workers
• Mears Homecare Limited, Tewkesbury, GL3, failed to pay £5908.87 to 4 workers
• Vertu Motors plc, Gateshead, NE11, failed to pay £5901.44 to 63 workers
• TAFS Foods Limited, trading as Kentucky Fried Chicken, Waltham Forest, E10, failed to pay £5257.84 to 294 workers
• Quest Strategic Consulting Limited - Dissolved 17 November 2020, Birmingham, B16, failed to pay £5119.16 to 6 workers
• Mr Mohammed Asif, trading as Supawash Laundrette, Rochdale, OL12, failed to pay £4972.55 to 3 workers
• M Francis (Cardiff) Limited, trading as Minster Cleaning Services, Cardiff, CF23, failed to pay £4793.14 to 69 workers
• Lees Cleaning Contractors LLP, trading as Lees Premier Cleaning, South Tyneside, NE33, failed to pay £4768.09 to 7 workers
• Stena Best Hand Car Wash Ltd, Waltham Forest, E11, failed to pay £4749.57 to 6 workers
• Noonan Services Group (NI) Limited - Dissolved, Belfast, BT3, failed to pay £4617.17 to 79 workers
• Medea Hair Limited, trading as Body Essential Hair Designer, Havering, RM5, failed to pay £4593.4 to 1 worker
• Big News Trading Ltd, trading as Chibber’s Superstore, Calderdale, HX1, failed to pay £4545.64 to 1 worker
• Mrs Julie Anne Rickett, trading as Chevalian Stud, Shropshire, SY12, failed to pay £4505.36 to 1 worker
• The Dental Workshop Limited, Leeds, LS11, failed to pay £4190.65 to 1 worker
• Chilton Motors Limited, Pembrokeshire, SA71, failed to pay £4171.87 to 1 worker
• Grade One Commercial Cleaning Services Limited, Medway, ME4, failed to pay £4145.8 to 6 workers
• Brighter Beginnings Day Nursery Limited, Oldham, OL9, failed to pay £4139.44 to 45 workers
• Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, Camden, WC1B, failed to pay £4055.96 to 3 workers
• D Southall & Sons, trading as Southalls of Norchard, Wychavon, DY13, failed to pay £4036.13 to 79 workers
• A1 Home Care Ltd, Chelmsford, CM2, failed to pay £3774.46 to 24 workers
• Mr Hasan Yalcin and Mrs Sultan Yalcin, trading as Bridge Kebabs (now under new ownership), Isle of Anglesey, LL59, failed to pay £3723.68 to 2 workers
• MacLeod Garages Ltd, trading as Kiwis Garage, Na h-Eileanan Siar, HS1, failed to pay £3663.63 to 1 worker
• Newry Crash Repair Centre Ltd, Newry, Mourne and Down, BT35, failed to pay £3438.61 to 6 workers
• Cheshire Central Limited, trading as Cheshire Central Car Valeting Centre, Stockport, SK5, failed to pay £3425.11 to 4 workers
• Clarendon Park Farms Limited, Wiltshire, SP5, failed to pay £3384.51 to 1 worker
• Mrs Julie Roche and Mr Christopher Roche, trading as Hill Cottage Farm Camping & Caravan Park, Dorset, SP6, failed to pay £3351.9 to 1 worker
• J Ren Ltd, trading as Mooboo, Glasgow City Council, G1, failed to pay £3114.73 to 24 workers
• Russell Nursery School Limited, Birmingham, B28, failed to pay £3080.31 to 1 worker
• Mr Ramon Sanchez, trading as Chester House Guest House, Cheshire West and Chester, CH2, failed to pay £3060.36 to 4 workers
• JoRecruitment Limited, Wandsworth, SW11, failed to pay £3008.63 to 52 workers
• Northcote Hotel Limited, Ribble Valley, BB6, failed to pay £2949.33 to 16 workers
• Brittain & McMail Limited, trading as Rainbow Rooms International, Glasgow City Council, G2, failed to pay £2923.25 to 16 workers
• Sandylane Limited, York, YO26, failed to pay £2877.41 to 101 workers
• Oldham Athletic (2004) Association Football Club Limited, Oldham, OL1, failed to pay £2812.38 to 6 workers
• York Hand Car Wash Ltd - Dissolved 9 April 2019, trading as Tesco Hand Car Wash, York, YO24, failed to pay £2811.4 to 3 workers
• Glenmore Property Services Limited, Brent, HA0, failed to pay £2794.97 to 3 workers
• Little Tots Nursery (Scunthorpe) Ltd, North Lincolnshire, DN15, failed to pay £2754.06 to 9 workers
• South Worcestershire Citizens Advice Bureau, Malvern Hills, WR14, failed to pay £2739.14 to 1 worker
• Jungs Eton Limited, Windsor and Maidenhead, SL4, failed to pay £2686.57 to 1 worker
• SRCL Limited, Leeds, LS10, failed to pay £2677.1 to 4 workers
• Step by Step Recruitment Limited, Worcester, WR1, failed to pay £2658.96 to 35 workers
• Illingworth Moor Retail Limited, trading as Subway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6, failed to pay £2643.75 to 1 worker
• Hair By JFK Limited, City of Edinburgh, EH10, failed to pay £2609.3 to 2 workers
• Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, Wolverhampton, WV2, failed to pay £2556.83 to 1 worker
• Harbour Havens Limited, trading as Kildonan Hotel, North Ayrshire, KA27, failed to pay £2478.12 to 4 workers
• Crewe Alexandra Football Club Company,Limited(The), Cheshire East, CW2, failed to pay £2477.33 to 46 workers
• Anglo Limited, Bournemouth Borough Council, BH1, failed to pay £2461.23 to 9 workers
• Willow Catering Limited, Liverpool, L9, failed to pay £2364.66 to 1 worker
• V.A.S.S. Northwest Ltd - In Liquidation, trading as Andy’s VW Centre, St. Helens, WA10, failed to pay £2287.43 to 1 worker
• Wise Employment (Swindon) Limited, Swindon, SN1, failed to pay £2266.04 to 181 workers
• Lyndon Resources Limited, Fylde, FY8, failed to pay £2251.03 to 3 workers
• Mr Tetsuo Saisho and Mrs Olga Lucia Saisho, trading as Japan Letting Agency, Ealing, W3, failed to pay £2212.09 to 1 worker
• Franchi Hairdressing Limited, trading as Giampiero Hair Colour Salon, Gedling Borough Council, NG5, failed to pay £2199.88 to 3 workers
• City Auto Repairs Ltd, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, BT60, failed to pay £2185.07 to 3 workers
• Mrs Shazia Ayub, trading as Wash and Go Slough, Slough, SL1, failed to pay £2169.8 to 4 workers
• Phillips (Lisburn) Limited, Lisburn and Castlereagh, BT27, failed to pay £2147.33 to 1 worker
• Aecom Limited, St Albans, AL1, failed to pay £2142.21 to 7 workers
• Fusion Hairdesign Ltd, Harrow, HA3, failed to pay £2089.27 to 1 worker
• Chasewood Care Limited - Liquidation 16 August 2018, Nuneaton and Bedworth, CV7, failed to pay £2023.43 to 80 workers
• Shado Services Limited, trading as Minster Cleaning Services, Bristol, City of, BS4, failed to pay £2010.89 to 35 workers
• Way2Save Harlesden Limited, Brent, NW10, failed to pay £1899.03 to 14 workers
• Charlton Athletic Football Company Limited, Greenwich, SE7, failed to pay £1880.12 to 16 workers
• North East Convenience Stores Limited, trading as Spar, Northumberland, NE24, failed to pay £1853.62 to 81 workers
• Ongar Motor Cycles Limited, Uttlesford, CM6, failed to pay £1842.06 to 1 worker
• Mr Karzan Mustafa Mohammad, trading as Best Hand Car Wash, Newham, E15, failed to pay £1830.59 to 2 workers
• Mr Shangara Singh, trading as The Spring Cottage, Walsall, WS1, failed to pay £1830.46 to 2 workers
• Whoop Hall (2006) Limited, trading as The Whoop Hall Inn, Lancaster, LA6, failed to pay £1820.43 to 12 workers
• Bankfield Residential Care Limited - Dissolved 18 September 2018, Bury, BL9, failed to pay £1785.09 to 40 workers
• Swinton Park Limited, Harrogate, HG4, failed to pay £1751.51 to 15 workers
• Westrow Ilkley LLP, trading as Westrow, Bradford, LS29, failed to pay £1734.76 to 3 workers
• Mr Amar Anwar, trading as Benwell Post Office, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4, failed to pay £1711.04 to 2 workers
• Hessle Plant Limited, Wakefield, WF10, failed to pay £1655.01 to 1 worker
• Woodfield Road Store Limited - Dissolved 11 June 2019, Nottingham, NG8, failed to pay £1612.85 to 4 workers
• Pacson Limited, Dundee City, DD4, failed to pay £1607.2 to 3 workers
• Smart Recruitment Solutions (Swindon) Limited, Swindon, SN1, failed to pay £1596.17 to 112 workers
• Hotel MK Limited, trading as Double Tree by Hilton Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes, MK1, failed to pay £1552.07 to 12 workers
• Danum Homecare Ltd, Doncaster, DN5, failed to pay £1516 to 13 workers
• Darlaston Builders Merchants Limited, Walsall, WS10, failed to pay £1444.01 to 1 worker
• Borders Automobile Company Limited, trading as Border Motor Group, Scottish Borders, TD6, failed to pay £1429.12 to 7 workers
• Flying Start Day Nursery Chigwell Ltd, Epping Forest, IG7, failed to pay £1390.66 to 9 workers
• Mr Stephen Austwick, trading as Steve Austwick MOT Centre, Leeds, LS28, failed to pay £1386.75 to 2 workers
• Belfast Service Centre Limited, Belfast, BT5, failed to pay £1377.61 to 3 workers
• Onyx Hair Limited, trading as Stone Hair, Bournemouth Borough Council, BH9, failed to pay £1371.19 to 2 workers
• Little Twisters Limited, North Tyneside, NE12, failed to pay £1360.12 to 9 workers
• Miss Emma Aitken, trading as Razor King, South Lanarkshire, G73, failed to pay £1327.5 to 1 worker
• Ms Caroline Koenig, trading as Walkers Private Day Nursery, Cotswold, GL56, failed to pay £1324.74 to 2 workers
• Lyndon Subcontractors Limited, Fylde, FY8, failed to pay £1323.01 to 1 worker
• Dunkeld House Hotel LLP, Perth and Kinross Council, PH8, failed to pay £1322.08 to 8 workers
• John Condona’s Pleasure Fairs Limited, trading as Condona’s Family Entertainment Centre, Aberdeen City, AB24, failed to pay £1318.23 to 90 workers
• K McKeown Builders Ltd, Perth and Kinross Council, PH1, failed to pay £1317.94 to 2 workers
• Worldsec Limited, Dudley, DY1, failed to pay £1180.47 to 36 workers
• Wentbridge House Limited, trading as Wentbridge House Hotel, Wakefield, WF8, failed to pay £1177.98 to 47 workers
• Sparklers Private Nursery Ltd, Dumfries and Galloway, DG16, failed to pay £1177.08 to 21 workers
• Mr Riccardo Corvi, trading as Rainbow Room International Ayr, South Ayrshire, KA7, failed to pay £1119.32 to 3 workers
• Mr Onur Ecevit, trading as Hand Car Wash, Tower Hamlets, E14, failed to pay £1072.9 to 2 workers
• Total Catering Solutions Recruitment Limited, trading as TCS Recruitment, Leicester, LE2, failed to pay £1042.14 to 104 workers
• Mr Akbar Shah, trading as Biddulph Soaps, Staffordshire Moorlands, ST8, failed to pay £1034.89 to 4 workers
• Mr Lirim Gecaj, trading as Bespoke Valet & Detailing Service, York, YO10, failed to pay £1033.82 to 2 workers
• Grey Communications Group Limited, Camden, EC1N, failed to pay £1033.2 to 1 worker
• Hair & Beauty Bank Ltd - Dissolved 04 February 2021, Bristol, City of, BS14, failed to pay £1022.13 to 1 worker
• Meadow Street Motors Limited, trading as D.L. Motors, Swansea, SA1, failed to pay £956.26 to 1 worker
• Teifi Tots Limited, Carmarthenshire, SA38, failed to pay £939.55 to 17 workers
• Workforce Staffing Ltd, Redditch, B97, failed to pay £915.9 to 50 workers
• Kinetic Law Ltd, Blackburn with Darwen, BB1, failed to pay £912.4 to 1 worker
• CAJ Contract Services Limited, Ashford, TN26, failed to pay £908.28 to 1 worker
• Automec Swansea Limited - Dissolved 2 April 2019, Swansea, SA1, failed to pay £892.12 to 1 worker
• Mr Sam Dewar, trading as SCD Joinery, North Ayrshire, KA11, failed to pay £886.53 to 1 worker
• UK Kidz Solutions Ltd, Sheffield, S4, failed to pay £882.2 to 1 worker
• Mr John Maxwell, trading as Eurofix Car Repairs, Belfast, BT17, failed to pay £872.58 to 2 workers
• CJ RIDINGS LIMITED, company changed name from THE NURSERY (WISTASTON) LIMITED in March 2020, Cheshire East, CW2, failed to pay £869.15 to 9 workers
• Little Uns Daycare Limited, Daventry, NN11, failed to pay £867.92 to 7 workers
• Mrs Jennifer Riley and Mr Andrew Riley, trading as The Tyndrum Inn, Stirling, FK20, failed to pay £844.84 to 1 worker
• Simpson Print Limited, trading as Simpson Group, Sunderland, NE37, failed to pay £831.29 to 34 workers
• Kate Preston Salons Limited, Fareham, PO16, failed to pay £825.63 to 4 workers
• Mrs Mozdeh Bandar and Miss Natalie Mahryar Bandar, trading as All in One Takeaway, Brighton and Hove, BN1, failed to pay £822.15 to 1 worker
• 4SLC For Stocksbridge Leisure Centre Trust, Sheffield, S36, failed to pay £819.45 to 4 workers
• Uniqwin UK Limited, Warrington, WA1, failed to pay £786.13 to 14 workers
• Homebeech Limited, Eastleigh, SO53, failed to pay £785.71 to 59 workers
• Mrs Samantha Hawes, trading as The Look, Chesterfield Borough Council, S41, failed to pay £785.13 to 2 workers
• Shengyang Trading Limited, trading as Mooboo, Coventry, CV1, failed to pay £760.15 to 3 workers
• Nicola Jones, trading as Cosmetology (now under new ownership), Dundee City, DD5, failed to pay £759.6 to 1 worker
• Portsmouth Community Football Club Limited, Portsmouth, PO4, failed to pay £741.32 to 10 workers
• Mr Samuel T Farnell, Mr Gary Farnell, Mr Anthony P Farnell and Mr Gregory M Farnell, trading as Acorn Cleaning Services, Manchester, M1, failed to pay £737.14 to 1 worker
• Commercial Collection Services Limited, trading as CCS Collect, Croydon, CR7, failed to pay £736.43 to 2 workers
• Frank H. Mann (Torquay) Limited, Torbay, TQ2, failed to pay £724.26 to 5 workers
• Quality Home Care (Barnsley) Limited, Barnsley, S71, failed to pay £711.4 to 31 workers
• Mr Stuart Melvin Aston, trading as Reflex Park Diner, Walsall, WV13, failed to pay £706.5 to 2 workers
• B Pharma Ltd, trading as Bispham Road Pharmacy, Sefton, PR9, failed to pay £698.51 to 1 worker
• K & A Care Limited, trading as Granada House Care Home, North Somerset, BS23, failed to pay £695.18 to 11 workers
• Carpet Kingdom Ltd, Blackburn with Darwen, BB1, failed to pay £693.57 to 2 workers
• Fishmore Hall Hotel Limited, Shropshire, SY8, failed to pay £690.22 to 8 workers
• JBD Recruitment Limited, Bromley, BR2, failed to pay £681.87 to 16 workers
• R & A Food & Wine Ltd (Dissolved 05/11/19), Lewisham, SE4, failed to pay £678.6 to 1 worker
• Frontline Recruitment Partnerships Limited, Nottingham, NG1, failed to pay £671.59 to 54 workers
• Mahal Premier Limited, Nottingham, NG6, failed to pay £670.43 to 1 worker
• Mrs Janine McMahon, trading as Rainbow Room International, East Dunbartonshire, G61, failed to pay £652.34 to 8 workers
• Viking Academy Trust, Thanet, CT11, failed to pay £651.43 to 2 workers
• WBC Limited, trading as Westdown Bathroom Centre, Herefordshire, County of, HR4, failed to pay £632.07 to 5 workers
• Mr Amin Lakhani & Mr Azim Lakhani, trading as Saffronland Homes 1, Eastleigh, SO53, failed to pay £623.94 to 42 workers
• Capture CCTV Solutions Limited, Swindon, SN3, failed to pay £622.07 to 2 workers
• Cavalier Country Club Limited, trading as Holdsworth House Hotel, Calderdale, HX2, failed to pay £601.92 to 1 worker
• Fleeson & Robb Limited, trading as Rainbow Room International, Glasgow City Council, G1, failed to pay £597.7 to 5 workers
• Mr Amin Lakhani & Mr Azim Lakhani, trading as Saffronland Homes 2, Eastleigh, SO53, failed to pay £591.05 to 33 workers
• SBFM Limited, Harrogate, HG3, failed to pay £583.02 to 1 worker
• Cofton Country Holidays Limited, Teignbridge, EX6, failed to pay £576.64 to 2 workers
• Anglophiles Academic Limited, Kensington and Chelsea, W10, failed to pay £575.51 to 1 worker
• Education Development Trust, Reading, RG1, failed to pay £575.35 to 2 workers
• Mrs Jennifer Campbell and Mr John Campbell, trading as Badden Farm Nursery, Argyll and Bute, PA31, failed to pay £569.72 to 1 worker
• Walnut Tree Garage Limited, trading as JP Tod Commercials, Monmouthshire, NP7, failed to pay £559.73 to 4 workers
• Ms Deborah Harrison, trading as Kingfisher Care Services, Redditch Borough Council, B97, failed to pay £558.79 to 2 workers
• Mr Jess Dillon, trading as Southside Cleaning Services, Exeter, EX2, failed to pay £543.77 to 45 workers
• Mr Harold Todd, trading as H T Motors, Antrim and Newtownabbey, BT39, failed to pay £537.84 to 1 worker
• Epicure Bar and Kitchen Limited (LIQUIDATION 15 January 2020), Kirklees, HD1, failed to pay £530.56 to 3 workers
• Laggan Outdoor Limited, Dumfries and Galloway, DG7, failed to pay £526.68 to 6 workers
• Mr Robert Mitchell, trading as Sherlocks, Inverclyde, PA16, failed to pay £504.78 to 1 worker
• Mr Andrew Hay, trading as Beach Service Station, North Ayrshire, KA20, failed to pay £501.79 to 3 workers

ABC Note: Determining the correct work type requires employers to interpret complex legislation and to review workers’ contractual provisions. It is imperative that employers apply careful thought to this because if checks on NMW compliance are conducted on the wrong work type, this could lead inadvertently to large underpayments. Liability for failure to carry out the correct calculation can be significant as workers have an implied contractual right in their contracts to receive the NMW. This means workers can issue individual or class action unlawful deductions from wages or breach of contract claims against employers in the Employment Tribunal. Alternatively, HMRC has the power to require back-payments to both current and former employees, looking back 6 years. Failure to pay NMW can also lead to penalties of up to 200%, public naming and the associated negative PR. The most recent naming list and the comments made by the Business Minister, Paul Scully, provide an excellent example of this. 

A LEVELS - As A Level Results Day is tomorrow, students across the UK will soon begin planning for university life. 

However, for those with kids, the task of juggling childcare with full time education can be especially daunting. 

To help parents get the most out of their future academic career, personal finance experts at money.co.uk have issued top financial tips for parents in full-time education, helping them to claim both free childcare and cash support grants.     

What to do if you’re a parent in full time education

Now that A-level results day is here, students across the UK will need to start planning for university life. 

For many, this can be as simple as stocking up on your favourite food and buying some bedsheets and a kettle, but for the thousands of students who have kids of their own, going into full time higher education can be especially daunting. 

Luckily, there are several government support schemes designed specifically with student parents in mind, whether you are starting a degree or moving onto qualifications such as BTEC or PGCEs. If you’re accepted for these schemes, you can claim a number of hours of free childcare, support payments or both. 

James Andrews, senior personal finance editor at money.co.uk, said: “If you’re a parent about to enter full time education, there are several free support schemes that can help you financially as you enter this new phase of your life.

“The first thing to do is check your eligibility, which can be done on the government’s childcare page. Before you log on, make sure you have your income details to hand, as well as the details of what kind of educational course you’re about to start. If you’re in a relationship, it’s a good idea to have your partner’s income details too. 

“In terms of which schemes are available, the amount of support on offer is dependent on how old your kids are, as well as which form of education you are in. 

“If you’re under 20 and in school or Sixth Form, you may be able to apply for weekly payments through the Care to Learn scheme. This offers up to £160 a week (£175 in London) towards childcare. This scheme pays directly to your registered childcare provider and is designed to help out over the summer holidays.

“If you’re over 19 and in further education, such as a BTEC qualification or PGCE, you have the option to apply for something called ‘Discretionary Learner Support’, which can help pay for childcare as well as other costs such as accommodation and travel. If you’re having trouble with your banking (eg you might be overdrawn or struggling with debt), these funds can be paid directly to someone else, for example your childcare provider or landlord. 

“Finally, if you’re in full time higher education and have children under 15, you can apply for a Childcare Grant. This won’t need to be paid back and can give you up to £307.95 a week if you have two or more children.”

ABC Comment, have your say below:

CONTACTS - Want to contact a Jobcentre

Contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus

If you want to contact your nearest office, you can find their details using the local office search.

You can write to your nearest office by using their address from the local office search. Their address will also be on any letters you’ve been sent.

If you’re in Northern Ireland

For Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Income Support, contact your Jobs and Benefits office. For Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), contact the ESA Centre.

Complain about Jobcentre Plus

Contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus

If you want to contact your nearest office, you can find their details using the local office search.

You can write to your nearest office by using their address from the local office search. Their address will also be on any letters you’ve been sent.

If you’re in Northern Ireland

For Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Income Support, contact your Jobs and Benefits office. For Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), contact the ESA Centre.

Complain about Jobcentre Plus

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How to contact Jobcentre Plus

You can contact Jobcentre Plus about:

• new benefit claims
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• changing or cancelling an appointment

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

you’ve received from Jobcentre Plus.

These are temporary local Jobcentres:

ABC Comment, have your say below:

KICKSTART - New figures show that of the 250,000 jobs the Chancellor promised would be created by the Kickstart scheme across the UK, only 1.5% have been started in Scotland since it launched ten months ago. 

 Based on population share, Scotland should have around 20,500 of the 250,000 Kickstart jobs promised by the UK government – but only 3,830 have been started and 10,740 made available to Scotland.

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RADIO APPEARANCE - ABC Founder Simon Collyer was on ‘City Talk’ Chelmsford Community Radio, last night with Nita Jhummu. We managed to get locked out of the studio in Moulsham Mill, ( a late start) but luckily a man was on hand (me) who eventually opened the door. Who said men are going to become redundant in the digital age? We still have some uses. Opening jam jars is just one of them.

I think the show went very well, you do get listeners texting - we do laugh together and I think that overall, the content was very good. The show had pace (important) and moved seamlessly from one topic to topic. My music choice was:

• Procol Harems, Salty Dog, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gi7Z3-T_qQ 
• Chantel McGregor’s version of Help Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbsbuyKPzNY and the
• Groundhogs Rich Man, Poor Man https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViOMiPL7kb0. 

I said to Nita, I always try and add facts, so people go away having learned something. We discussed some of the Gymnastics commentaries that just told people what they could already see. I also get irritated with commentators that get over-excited and think that by getting hot excited and frantic they are going to make the event more exciting, watchable, and dramatic. I have been on the radio and TV a lot recently. It is nerve-racking in the build-up but once you see the On-Air light go Red, I dive in and want to make each interview as interesting as possible for the listener.

Image: Moulsham Mill, Chelmsford. 

Another tricky moment was that the desk with all the kit and microphones and computers can be adjusted up and down with a powerful electric motor. I suddenly felt my legs getting crushed as Nita moved the desk downwards at the end without realizing I was still under it. Make no mistake Nita is VERY professional and VERY well prepared with a voice as smooth as Cadburys Milk Tray! A good session, one that could give the BBC a run for their money in terms of quality and content.

Nita is excellent and her listening figures tell a very positive tale.

SPECIAL NOTE: We have just added the Chelmsford Community Radio 104.4FM Monday Night show but Simon Collyer does not appear till about 10% of the way in. 

Image: Nita Jhummu, City Talk presenter, Chelmsford Community Radio 104.4FM .

ABC Comments, have your say below:

UC UPLIFT- Communities Minister Hargey urges DWP to retain £20 UC uplift.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has urged the Westminster government to retain the £20 uplift to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits.

In a letter to Thérèse Coffey MP, Secretary of State Department for Work and Pensions, Minister Hargey also expressed her disappointment that the additional support is being removed, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minister Hargey said: “I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to retain the £20 uplift to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits.

“The importance of additional support for individuals and families has been absolutely critical throughout the pandemic.

“This continues to be the case for many households who continue to suffer the acute financial pressures and impacts of job losses and increased debt.

“The Universal Credit uplift is of vital importance to support people on low-incomes and to allow the economy to rebuild. 

“It has been a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable people in our society and removal at this time will cause great distress and financial hardship.”

Throughout her time in office, the Minister has repeatedly demonstrated her determination to protect the most vulnerable people in our society, including those who depend on the social security system.

The Minister will be writing again to the Department of Work and Pensions in a joint letter with other administrations to seek the continuation of the £20 Universal Credit Uplift.

The Minister continued, “At this time of increased financial hardship and uncertainty, people need to know that they can continue to rely on such support.

“I have again written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions urging that the uplift is made permanent and to announce this without delay in order to avoid causing further anxiety.

“To do otherwise could plunge vulnerable families and households into unnecessary and unacceptable financial hardship.”

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RADIO APPEARANCE - To celebrate the start of the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Nita will be joined on City Talk tonight by Essex Area Ambassador and founder of abcorg.net, Simon Collyer, who will help us look forward to the exciting sports events that are yet to happen and review the first few days of competition.

Not only is Simon the founder of Association of Pension & Benefits Claimants CIC (www.abcorg.net), he is also a former Olympic Sailor, having competed in the 470 Class, so he is well placed to talk about everything #Olympics.

He will also give an update on Sailing Wellness, his initiative to help military personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Listen to Nita Jhummu’s City Talk, Monday 26th July from 8pm:

on 104.4FM in #Chelmsford #Essex

on TuneIn App and radio.garden

online on chelmsfordcommunityradio.com

Say “Play Chelmsford Community Radio” to your smart speaker

Image: The Olympic 470 Class.

ABC Comment, have your say below;

UNION ACTION - Unite Community Members Led Day of Action on Universal Credit 14th July 2021.

Unite Community are having a members led national day of Action on Wednesday 14th July 2021 with local actions & street stalls in the community and a summer of activity calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, and the Conservative government to #CancelTheCut to #UniversalCredit and demanding £20 uplift be extended to legacy benefits #20More4All.

2.5 million legacy benefit claimants which includes 1.9 million ESA claimants, many of whom are disabled people were completely ignored and discriminated against in Rishi Sunak budget in March.  He refused to extend the £20 uplift to legacy benefit claimants.  

Unite point out, that disabled people have had ever increasing living costs during the Coronavirus Pandemic; increasing online shopping delivery costs; high energy costs when they were asked to shield causing further poverty and distress.

ABC NOTE: You can sign up to support Unite the Union Campaign on Universal Credit and email your MP.

https://dpac.uk.net/2021/03/motion-for-clps-and-union-branches-on-uplifting-of-legacy-benefits/

Unite the Trade Union has: 1.4 million (2020) members. 

ABC Comment, have your say here:

UNIVERSAL CREDIT PROPOSED CUT - The Northern Research Group (NRG) is a group founded by several Conservative MPs in the United Kingdom candidates elected to represent constituencies in northern England, Wales, and the Scottish borders in the 2019 general election.

The NRG’s aim to pressure the government for investment in the north. These 50+ MP’s have seen the writing on the wall over the £20 per week benefits cut planned by the Boris Johnson led government.

Simon Collyer, the ABC founder, was on BBC Essex last week, and he warned of mass deaths and suffering as the reduced level of benefits would take people below that amount needed to sustain life. Food Banks have done an amazing job, but they are a temporary measure and do not have the capacity and the food resources to sustain people on an ongoing basis.

We felt BBC' Essex Presenter Saidie 9 found it hard to relate to how much £20 per week could mean to someone on benefits. This is common amongst people at work. Losing your job can be a fantastic shock.  Discretionary purchases from loose change like buying that morning 'cuppa' have to go. 

Image: This is Sadie 9. This was Simons 10th BBC appearance.

People may think we are exaggerating. However, we are not. History is the endless struggle between rich and poor over scarce resources. In recent years the rich have been winning hands down. 

Why, one wonders, are the public working over 2.5 days a week to pay taxes and particularly National Insurance (NI) which goes in a seperate fund. Yet when they come to claim the dole after [let us say after 35 years of paying in] they get offered an amount so low you cannot live on it? Some might argue that taking in money for a service that you later fail to provide looks a lot like borderline fraud? This is the publics money in the case of NI. 

That can be argued about of course, but building a superyacht for the Queen and her ministers to use including Boris, whilst not paying a level of benefits needed to sustain life at a most basic level looks morally very questionable.

People in work with a good job cannot understand how much £20 per week can mean to people.

Large numbers of people on benefits have died under the Tory government cuts. Life expectancy had been growing steadily, but since the Tory government came to power in 2012 this trend has reversed. The previous Labour governments had almost eliminated child poverty. Today however that great work has been undone and child poverty has dramatically escalated.

The ABC believes cutting Universal Credit would create civil unrest and may bring in levels of protests to far exceed that of the poll tax riots. It could be the road to much more violent action.

It is not as if when the government makes cuts like this, that the average worker even sees any benefit?

Benefits for a single person as an example would drop to £323.22 / £324.84 (per month) if this small uplift is taken away. How can you live on that?

Once winter comes and people need to eat more to sustain themselves and once they need to pay for very expensive heating, the full horrors of these proposed benefits cuts will reveal themselves.

The Northern Research Group (NRG) was approached by the Trade Union Council (TUC) about working on projects with them. The great irony is these Tory MP’s may do better working with the TUC rather than supporting Boris Johnson -that is if they want to keep their jobs? The Conservative Party in Scotland hardly exists, North of the Watford Gap it could go the same way.

We hope that Boris Johnson does not make the same mistake of underestimating the strength of public opinion that the penultimate King of France, Louise Phillippe did. The poor will absorb a great deal of punishment without a fuss but starving them has not been a successful move in the past. 'Let them eat cakes' said Marie Antoinette when asked how the poor should manage when they could not afford bread. Boris might need a rethink.

 Louis Philippe was King of the French from 1830 to 1848, the last King and penultimate monarch of France

ABC Comment, have your say below:

YOUNG CARERS -  A new report has found that young carers in Scotland are being pushed into poverty and Tory plans to cut Universal Credit could push them even further.

The University of the West of Scotland-Oxfam report praised the Scottish Government’s Young Carers Grant as an ‘important resource’ as many young carers reported that it allowed them to have disposable income.

In its conclusions, the report recommends that the UK government does not implement planned cuts to Universal Credit in October 2021 and maintain the £20 uplift.

Last week, the Scottish Government introduced legislation to double the Carers Allowance Supplement in December, further supporting those that need it.

Image: MSP Niel Gray, courtesy of the Scottish Record. 

Commenting, SNP MSP and social security committee convener Neil Gray said:

“Young carers make incredible sacrifices to look after a family member or someone close to them and the SNP Scottish Government has worked hard to provide the support they need and it is encouraging to see that recognised in the UWS-Oxfam report.

“However, the Scottish Government is working with its hands tied behind its back and mitigating the callous policies of the Tories at Westminster as not all carers are eligible for the support provided due to stringent and inflexible criteria.

“We also face a situation where thousands of families including young carers could have the rug pulled out from them if the Tories go ahead with their plans to cut the Universal Credit £20 uplift, which would be devastating for young carers. Some are already struggling to make ends meet due to the pandemic and cutting UC would make things incredibly difficult for them.

“Once again, we see the tale of two governments, the one in Edinburgh that is forced to mitigate the impacts of the callous policies of the one in Westminster. The only way we can provide a social security system that supports everyone in Scotland that needs it is with the full powers of an independent country.”

ABC Note: Carers in Scotland who were getting Carer's Allowance on 12 April 2021 will receive a Carer's Allowance Supplement of £231.40 on 16 June 2021. The supplement is an extra payment, paid twice a year, for people in Scotland who get Carer's Allowance.

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