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
News
Beloved local comedian Justin Moorhouse pays touching tribute to son Barney
Daisy Jackson
Justin Moorhouse has shared a touching tribute to his son, after announcing over the weekend that Barney had passed away.
The much-loved Tameside comedian wrote that the family are ‘besides themselves with grief’, before later sharing some of his favourite memories of his son, who was in his 20s.
Justin Moorhouse, who starred in Phoenix Nights and just recently performed at the Manchester Opera House on his ‘The Greatest Performance of My Life’ tour, described his son as ‘the sweetest, kindest soul’.
He wrote that Barney ‘just went to sleep and didn’t wake up’.
Following the heartbreaking news, Justin shared three of his fondest memories with his son, including a Flaming Lips gig in Leeds, Bleachers at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, and a trip to the US.
He wrote: “Some of my favourite memories of Barney are music gigs. I am so lucky to have enjoyed loads of stuff he did and obviously hates loads too!
“Luckily, he didn’t think I was too awkward to hang out with at gigs… How lucky I’ve been to have him.”
On Saturday, Justin Moorhouse shared: “It is with the heaviest of hearts I have to tell you our beautiful boy Barney has passed away. Me, his mum and step mum, his sister, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and his gorgeous friends are besides ourselves with grief.
“I am consoling myself as much as I can knowing that he loved us all and knew we loved him.
“He was so happy, content and excited about the future. The sweetest, kindest soul.
“He just went to sleep and didn’t wake up.
“I can’t imagine how the next days and weeks will unfold but I know we are able to cope – love always helps.
“I am him and he is me. Sleep tight Barney. Dad x
“Appreciate your kindness and sensitivity towards the family at this time.”
Government officially approves Eton’s plan to ‘remove barriers’ and open new FREE college in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
Eton’s plans to open a new free college in Oldham will officially go ahead following Government approval this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed a bit, plans for three new post-16 colleges – with the other two being in Dudley and Middlesborough – that are designed to help give young people who’ve done well in their GCSEs the opportunity to achieve the A-Levels they need to go to Oxbridge and other elite universities across the world were first announced back in March 2022, and then given the green light in August 2023.
Eton has partnered with Star Academies – which is said to be the highest-performing state school trust in the country – for the new colleges.
The colleges will aim to recruit ‘dynamic young people from deprived communities’, including in Oldham, and provide them with a ‘rigorous and rounded education’ that supports their ambitions to achieve places at ‘the very best universities’.
Oldham Council has welcomed the news that the new college – set to be named Eton Star Oldham – will go ahead, after the Government confirmed the conclusion of its national review into the proposals.
The decision means that Oldham will become one of the first places in the country to offer this new education model that combines high standards with strong partnerships and expanded opportunities for local young people.
The Government has officially approved Eton’s plan to open a new free college in Oldham / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Approval means pupils from every background will soon have access to the ‘very best’ opportunities.
Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Coucil, said this is ‘great news’ for Oldham, adding: “Eton Star Oldham will give our young people access to life-changing opportunities, no matter their background or where they start in life.
“We have been clear throughout that this must be a college shaped with our young people, our parents and our communities.
“Now that the Government has confirmed it will go ahead, we will work closely with Eton College and Star Academies to make sure this delivers for Oldham’s children and opens doors for generations to come.”
Emily Sergeant -
21st June 2023 
