Names of North West businesses failing to pay minimum wage revealed

A number of companies in the North West have been named and shamed by the government for failing to pay one or more of their workers the National Minimum Wage.

Business Minister Nick Boles announced the names of 115 companies across the UK that together owe more than £389,000 in arrears, with firms in sectors such as retail, hairdressing, education, social care and catering falling foul of the law.

In the North West, the businesses named were:

• Carl Keith Salons Ltd in Prescot - £20,535.03 owed to five workers
• Mr Gholam Ghiassi in Chaigley - £14,208.40 owed to two workers
• Helen Woodend (New Brooms) in Burton-in-Kendal - £13,447.01 owed to 14 workers
• Aspect Plumbing & Heating Ltd in Liverpool, Merseyside - £8,280.45 owed to one worker
• Bennett Homes Ltd in Manchester - £2,659.96 owed to two workers
• Andrew Warburton & Theresa Warburton (Alesha Paul Hair Design) in Manchester - £2,633.54 owed to one worker
• Affinity Dental Ltd in Rochdale - £1,452.02 owed to one worker
• PCC UK International Ltd (We Love Laptops) in Lostock - £1,079.07 owed to three workers
• LS&R Ltd (Omega Business Supplies) in Stockport - £784.92 owed to one worker
• Christopher Whiteside (The Hair Workshop) in Lytham St Annes - £457.58 owed to one worker
• Top Quote Ltd in Manchester - £391.89 owed to one worker
• International Business Action Ltd (County Hand Car Wash) in Morecambe - £266.50 owed to one worker
• Urban Angels (Didsbury) Ltd in Didsbury - £133.19 owed to one worker

Business minister Nick Boles said: “Employers that fail to pay the minimum wage hurt the living standards of the lowest paid and their families.

“As a one nation government on the side of working people we are determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage receives it.”

Earlier this month, the national Minimum Wage rose to £6.70 per hour for those aged 21 and over. The pay for 18 to 20 year olds is £5.30 per hour, while the rate for 16 to 17 year olds is £3.87. Apprentices, meanwhile, must be paid a minimum of £3.30 an hour.

Mr Boles continued: “Next April we will introduce a new National Living Wage which will mean a £900-a-year pay rise for someone working full time on the minimum wage and we will enforce this equally robustly.”