THE businesses in the North-East and North Yorkshire that failed to pay its workers the minimum wage have been named and shamed. 

A Darlington healthcare provider, County Durham garage and a Richmondshire pub have been named among a list of 'rogue employers' by HMRC.

Investigated between 2016 and 2018, HMRC found 139 companies failed to pay out a total of £6.7m in correct wages to around 95,000 workers in the UK.

In our region, five businesses were identified with 52 employees collectively receiving thousands less than the minimum wage.

READ MORE: The Wensleydale Heifer responds after being named and shamed by HMRC

Publishing the list for the first time since 2018, the Government said it was revealing the details of these businesses in a bid to "serve as a warning" to those flouting the rules.

These are the businesses that failed to pay minimum wage:

DCS&D Limited Heritage Healthcare, Darlington

Failed to pay £2,393.39 to 13 workers 

Four Pillars Hotels Limited, Harrogate

Failed to pay £2,092.55 to 29 workers

The Wensleydale Heifer Limited, Richmondshire 

Failed to pay £1,625.89 to 3 workers

Gregg Little Testing Centre Limited, Newton Aycliffe (liquidated October 2018)

Failed to pay £3,703.90 to 4 workers

Fast Fresh Ltd, trading as Subway, Sunderland (liquidated December 2019)

Failed to pay £1,833.02 to 3 workers

According to HMRC, one of the main causes of minimum wage breaches is down to employees being made to cover work costs, which eat into their pay packets, such as paying for uniform, training or parking fees.

But HMRC, who did not reveal individual details, said while not all breaches are intentional it remains the responsibility of each firm to ensure they follow the law.

Paul Scully, Business Minister, said: "Paying the minimum wage is not optional, it is the law.

"It is never acceptable for any employer to short-change their workers, but it is especially disappointing to see huge household names who absolutely should know better on this list.

"This should serve as a wake-up call to named employers and a reminder to everyone of the importance of paying workers what they are legally entitled to.

"Make no mistake, those who fail to follow minimum wage rules will be caught out and made to pay up."

According to HMRC, employers who pay their workers less than minimum wage must pay back arrears of wages to the worker at the current minimum wage rate.

They also face hefty financial penalties of up to 200 per cent of arrears - capped at £10,000 per worker - which are paid to the government.

It said each of the companies named, including those in our region, have been ordered to repay their workers, and have been forced to pay financial penalties.

Bryan Sanderson, Chair of the Low Pay Commission, said: "There can be no excuses for non-compliance with the minimum wage rates.

"The annual changes are well publicised 6 months in advance following a well understood process.

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"Those affected are among the most needy and vulnerable in our country - the companies concerned should be deeply ashamed of their performance."

  • The Northern Echo contacted all remaining businesses for comment but did not receive a response at time of publication.