Three Peterborough businesses named for not paying the legal wage

The trio are among 260 businesses nationwide that have been named by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for underpaying their workers the national minimum or living wage.

According to the government department, the three city companies listed are:

PC Solve Ltd trading as Ink2Print, Peterborough, which failed to pay £1,901.6 to one worker.

Synergie+ Plus Ltd, trading as Fit4less, in Cowgate, Peterborough, failed to pay £944.07 to two members of staff.

Creations Desserts Ltd trading as Creation Dessert Lounge, Peterborough, failed to pay £174.14 to two workers.

A representative for Ink2Print refused to comment.

A spokesman for Fit4less has been approached for a comment.

A representative for Creations Desserts was not available to comment.

Nationally, the 260 businesses underpaid a record 16,000 workers at least minimum wage rates.

Government investigators identified £1.7 million in back pay for some of the UK’s lowest paid workers and fined employers £1.3 million for underpayment.

Officials say retail, hairdressing and hospitality businesses were among the most prolific offenders.

Common reasons for errors made include failing to pay workers travelling between jobs, deducting money from pay for uniforms and not paying for overtime.

Business Minister Margot James said: "There is no excuse for not paying staff the wages they’re entitled to and the government will come down hard on businesses that break the rules.

"That’s why today we are naming hundreds of employers who have been short changing their workers; and to ensure there are consequences for their wallets as well as their reputation, we’ve levied millions in back pay and fines."

The current National Living Wage for people aged 25 years and over is £7.50 per hour, the National Minimum Wage for 21 to 24-year-olds is £7.05 per hour, the National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year olds is £5.60 per hour while the National Minimum Wage for 16 to 17-year-olds is £4.05 per hour and the National Minimum Wage for apprentices under 19, or over 19 and in the first year of an apprenticeship is £3.50 per hour.