UK Names 658 Firms for Minimum Wage Violations

The UK Government has publicly named 658 employers across the country for failing to pay their staff the National Minimum Wage, resulting in approximately £4 million in back pay being returned to over 27,000 workers. The enforcement action, announced on Thursday, September 3, 2026, also saw £7 million in penalties levied against the non-compliant businesses. Ministers stated their commitment to more frequent publication of these "naming and shaming" lists to ensure employers are swiftly held accountable and encouraged to make necessary improvements to their payroll practices. The government aims to deter employers from shortchanging their staff and ensure workers receive the wages they are legally owed. Among the businesses identified was DIY retailer BQ, which reportedly failed to pay £456,934 to 4,530 employees. A company spokesperson attributed the shortfalls to unintentional errors in calculating geographical allowances, which are paid in addition to minimum hourly rates. BQ confirmed that all affected employees received their outstanding wages in full during July 2025.