B&Q, Five Guys and Serco among firms shamed for paying staff below minimum wage
The government has publicly named hundreds of businesses after they failed to pay staff the National Minimum Wage.
Following “robust” enforcement measures, approximately £4 million in lost earnings has been reimbursed to over 27,000 workers across 658 companies.
Ministers stated that they were resolved to prevent employers short changing their staff, revealing that fines totalling £7 million have been handed to organisations caught paying below the legal minimum wage.
The government confirmed its commitment to publishing these naming lists on a more regular basis, ensuring firms are swiftly held to account and make prompt improvements.
Among the firms named by the government was DIY giant B&Q, which was reported to have failed to pay £456,934 to 4,530 workers.
A spokesperson for the company said: “The shortfalls in payments were unintentional. They relate to calculations involving geographical allowances which are paid in addition to minimum hourly rates.
“All affected colleagues were quickly paid in full in July 2025.”
Other firms named by the Government included:
- Elysium Healthcare Holdings Limited, reported to have failed to pay £330,048 to 1,095 workers.
- St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospital Group, Epsom, (£123,331 to 75 workers).
- Support Staff Services Limited, Slough (£119,715 to 323 workers).
- Five Guys JV Limited, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, (£54,642.47 to 3,699 workers).
- Forest Holidays Ltd (£100,308 to 598 workers).
- St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (£77,498 to 55 workers).
- Lanes Group Limited, Leeds (£67,893 to 297 workers).
- Serco Limited, Thetford (£36,303.02 to 374 workers.
- UK Care Team Ltd, Leicester (£67,082 to 99 workers).
It is understood St George’s, Epsom and St Helier maintain that no staff were underpaid as it related to a technical compliance issue where part of their salary for a non tax-deductible “salary sacrifice” (for example, towards childcare) was not counted towards the national minimum wage, even though their gross salary was above the national minimum wage.
The hospitals have changed their process and improved compliance.
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.”
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Bosses who fail to pay the minimum wage deserve to be named and shamed.
“There is no excuse for workers being cheated out of the minimum wage. It’s bad for workers, families and the economy.
“Every pound taken from a worker’s pocket is a pound that could have been spent in local shops, cafes and high streets.
“That’s why the Government’s new Fair Work Agency is so important. It is a chance to come down hard on rogue employers who refuse to do right by their staff.”
