658 UK employers named for underpaying staff, including B&Q and Five Guys

# What happened Minimum Wage. Enforcement action has recovered about £4 million for workers and led to roughly £7 million in penalties being imposed on employers found to have underpaid staff.

# Who is on the list The list includes a mix of national chains, care providers, local businesses and public-sector organisations. Prominent names reported in this round include B&Q and Five Guys. Specific figures given by the government for those two employers:

One McDonald's franchise in the West Midlands was named for underpaying 515 staff over more than three years. Across the North East, 33 businesses were included and together repaid £119,261.80.

# Scale and context The naming round followed enforcement investigations that resulted in back payments to workers and financial penalties for employers. Since the government first started publishing naming lists in 2011, published figures in the article say more than £100 million in penalties have been issued to over 5,200 employers, and over £66 million repaid to about 650,000 workers.

This round returned roughly £4 million to more than 27,000 affected workers.

# New enforcement body This is the first naming round since the Fair Work Agency was established in April under the Employment Rights Act. The Fair Work Agency consolidates enforcement of worker rights, beyond minimum wage issues, to cover things such as holiday and sick pay.

Government ministers framed the move as part of a push to make enforcement quicker and to encourage employers to check payrolls. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden are quoted urging employers to check payrolls and reach out for support where needed. Matthew Taylor, chair of the Fair Work Agency Advisory Board, said the agency will make it easier for employers to comply while taking firm action against breaches.

# What this means for employers and workers

• Workers named in enforcement actions have been repaid arrears identified by investigators.

• Agency centralises enforcement and publishes naming rounds more regularly, signaling a sustained government focus on compliance.

# Immediate takeaways for readers If you are an employee who suspects underpayment, check your payslips against the National Minimum Wage rules and raise concerns with your employer or ACAS. If you are an employer, review payroll processes, correct errors and engage with the Fair Work Agency guidance to avoid penalties and naming.