South east London firms who failed to pay workers minimum wage

208 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers £1.2 million in a clear breach of National Minimum Wage law, leaving around 12,000 workers out of pocket.

Companies being named range from multinational businesses and large high street names to small and medium enterprises and sole traders, in a clear message that no employer is exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage.

These businesses have since had to pay back what they owe to staff and also face significant financial penalties of up to 200 per cent of what was owed, which are paid to the government.

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The investigations by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs concluded between 2014 and 2019.

Minister for Labour Markets Paul Scully said: "We want workers to know that we're on their side and they must be treated fairly by their employers, which is why paying the legal minimum wage should be non-negotiable for businesses.

Don't be a scrooge

"Today's 208 businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working employees, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

"With Christmas fast approaching, it is more important than ever that cash is not withheld from the pockets of workers. So don't be a scrooge €“ pay your staff properly."

Across south east London, there were seven businesses on the list.

News Shopper attempted to get comment from each of these, with any responses included below.

These are:

The Challenge Network​, Lambeth

The Challenge Network failed to pay £154,682.33 to 3,600 workers.

This company went into liquidation on May 26, 2020.

Mitie Limited, Southwark

Mitie Limited failed to pay £17,893.98 to 91 workers.

A spokesperson for Mitie said: "HMRC accept this was a technical breach, so we are disappointed to have been included on this list."

UK Auto Wash Limited, Southwark

UK Auto Wash Limited failed to pay £13,209.92 to six workers.

C T Services Group Limited, Bromley

C T Services Group Limited failed to pay £6,568.93 to 52 workers.

VDIT Solutions Ltd, Lambeth

VDIT Solutions Ltd failed to pay £3,859.25 to three workers.

Mrs Feelgood Beauty Salon, Southwark

Mrs Feelgood Beauty Salon failed to pay £697.47 to two workers.

Unique Hair, Bromley

Unique Hair failed to pay £532.17 to one worker.

Who else has been shamed?

You can use the table below to find all businesses in the UK which have been named and shamed by the government.

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