M&S, WHSmith, and Argos are among the several hundred companies “named and shamed” for failing to pay staff a minimum wage.
After investigations carried out by HMRC between 2017 and 2019, the UK government has today published a list of just over 200 employers that were found to have failed to pay their lowest-paid workers the National Minimum Wage (NMW) – which equated to almost £5 million in what ministers have called “a clear breach of NMW law”.
Companies named by the government today range from major high street retailers – such as WHSmith, M&S, Lloyds Pharmacy, and Argos – to small businesses and sole traders.
Security company Showsec, pub group Brunning & Price, and world-renowned luxury fashion house Chanel are just some of the other employers named within the top 10 highest offending, while Dune, Arnold Clark Motors, Macdonald Hotels, and Oasis and Warehouse are some of the other recognisable names.
📣 NEWS: More than 200 employers were found to have failed to pay the minimum wage to their lowest paid workers.
These employers have now been ordered to repay workers and face penalties of nearly £7 million.
— Department for Business and Trade (@biztradegovuk) June 21, 2023
According to the government, 39% of employers named deducted pay from workers’ wages, while another 39% failed to pay workers correctly for their working time, and 21% paid the incorrect apprenticeship rate.
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The breach is said to have left around 63,000 workers nationwide out of pocket.
Business ministers say the publishing of the list today “sends a clear message” from the government that “no employer is exempt” from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage.
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WHSmith and Argos were two of the other big names on the list / Credit: WHSmith | Sainsbury’s
“Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable,” Kevin Hollinrake, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, said on the publishing of the list today.
“All businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.
“Most businesses do the right thing and look after their employees, but we’re sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law – pay your staff properly or you’ll face the consequences.”
The businesses named in today’s list have since paid back what they owe to their staff, the government has confirmed.
They have also faced financial penalties.
Featured Image – M&S Manchester
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Tickets go live as opening date is announced for Manchester City’s new ‘immersive’ museum experience
Emily Sergeant
Tickets to visit Manchester City’s new ‘immersive’ museum experience have officially gone live ahead of the grand opening.
Set to open in the heart of the £300m Medlock Square entertainment district at Manchester’s Etihad Campus next month, the Manchester City Museum Experience will be spread across 10 distinctive spaces – with visitors invited to take a trip down memory lane with nostalgic environments from throughout the club’s history.
Fans will also be able to take part in interactive media experiences, like posing with all 48 major trophies won by the club’s first teams or trying their hand at football punditry.
The experience will combine the latest immersive technology with physical memorabilia drawn from across the club’s history to do this.
Hidden details and surprising ‘did you know’ facts are set to be embedded across the experience, so that even the most devoted Man City fans will have the chance to discover something new about the club they love.
By combining interactive environments, technology, and authentic artefacts, the experience is aiming to appeal to a wide audience – from lifelong Manchester City supporters, to families and those with a broader interest in football, culture, and the city of Manchester.
“The Museum Experience has been designed as a destination that goes beyond just the pitch,” commented Jeremy Maxton, who is the Director of Visitor Attractions at Manchester City Football Club.
Manchester City releases CGIs and important details of its new ‘immersive’ museum / Credit: Manchester City / Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA)
“Whether you’re a lifelong supporter, visiting Manchester for a weekend, or simply looking for a unique day out, we’ve created an experience that offers something for everyone.
“From the recreated environments and original memorabilia to the interactive elements, there are different ways into the Club’s history throughout the Museum.
“We’ve also built in space for new stories to be added over time, so the experience can continue to evolve. It’s been a huge project to bring together and we’re looking forward to people seeing it for themselves later this year.”
The Manchester City Museum Experience officially opens on 14 December, and you can now book tickets to visit from that date here.
Featured Image – Credit: Manchester City / Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA)
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TfGM apologises after two weeks of major tram disruption across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Trams have finally resumed running in Greater Manchester following two weeks of major disruption across the Metrolink network.
Tram services have resumed across the Altrincham, Eccles, and Trafford Park lines this morning (Monday 2 November) following the completion of major track replacement work between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield, while maintenance and renewal work also took place on the Eccles line and in the city centre during the planned closure.
Engineers replaced around 4km of track on what is said to be one of the ‘busiest and most complex’ sections of the Metrolink network.
The new track will allow further speed restrictions to be lifted, as according to TfGM, around 100,000 journeys are already benefiting from journey time improvements delivered through previous phases of work every day.
It all forms part of the next phase of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network in a bid to make it ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable’ for years to come.
✅ This morning, tram services have resumed on the Altrincham, East Didsbury, Eccles, Manchester Airport and Trafford Park lines.
We thank customers for their patience and understanding while these works took place.
↪️ A small service change remains in place through the city centre until the end of service on Wednesday 4 November.
Until then, trams on the Bury – Altrincham, and Victoria – Manchester Airport lines will divert via Exchange Square. Customers may need to change trams to reach Shudehill or Market Street.
👉 Find out more: https://t.co/Vm08ZEDUq4
With services now back up and running, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has issued a statement apologising for disruption.
Ian Davies, who is the Network Director for Metrolink at TfGM, commented: “This was an essential piece of engineering work on one of the busiest parts of our tram network and will help keep services safe, reliable and fit for the future.
“We’re sorry for the disruption and I’d like to thank passengers, residents, and businesses for their patience while we got on with the job.
“The upgrades mean customers will benefit from smoother journeys and allow us to lift further speed restrictions on this section of the network. It will help speed up our journeys and improve reliability for everyone who uses our network.
“Completing work of this scale on time is a significant achievement and I’d like to thank everyone involved for getting it done safely and efficiently.”
Emily Sergeant -
21st June 2023 
