NAMED AND SHAMED: Three Derbyshire businesses who underpaid staff

They are among 233 employers nationally who have underpaid workers and who have been named by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

As well as paying back staff the money owed, employers on the list have been fined a record £1.9 million by the government. Retail, hairdressing and hospitality businesses were among the most prolific offenders.

In Derbyshire, KE Express Limited, based in South Derbyshire, failed to pay £669.12 to two workers, while Harvey Luke Limited, based in Derby failed to pay £473.69 to three members of staff.

And Mamas Masala Limited, Derby, failed to pay £207.91 to four workers.

Since 2013, the scheme has identified £6 million back pay for 40,000 workers, with 1,200 employers fined £4 million.

Business Minister Margot James said: "It is against the law to pay workers less than legal minimum wage rates, short-changing ordinary working people and undercutting honest employers.

"Today’s naming round identifies a record £2 million of back pay for workers and sends the clear message to employers that the government will come down hard on those who break the law.

"Common errors made by employers in this round included deducting money from pay packets to pay for uniforms, failure to account for overtime hours, and wrongly paying apprentice rates to workers."

And Melissa Tatton, Director at HM Revenue and Customs added: "HMRC is committed to getting money back into the pockets of underpaid workers, and continues to crack down on employers who ignore the law.

"Those not paying workers the National Minimum or Living Wage can expect to face the consequences."

To see the list in full, click here.