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Wed, 02 Sep 2026

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 B&Q and Five Guys among firms that paid staff below minimum wage

More than 600 companies underpaid staff, with £4m returned to workers, according to the government.

* Over 600 UK businesses, including B&Q and Five Guys, have been named by the government for paying staff below the minimum wage.
* £4m has been returned to workers as a result of the underpayments, with penalties worth £7m issued against the employers.
* The list includes shops, restaurants, nurseries, social care providers, and NHS trusts, among others.
* B&Q said the underpayments were unintentional due to calculations involving geographical allowances, while Five Guys blamed "technical differences in how payroll regulations were applied".
* St George's Hospital Trusts said they had underpaid staff due to a technical issue with salary sacrifice schemes.
* Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust admitted to inadvertently underpaying apprentices between 2019 and 2023.
* Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the government was determined to stamp out underpayment, while Minister Kate Dearden warned employers to check their payroll and reach out for support if needed.