A government publication has exposed hundreds of companies for failing to compensate staff at legally required rates.
DIY retailer B&Q and burger chain Five Guys feature among 658 businesses across the United Kingdom discovered to have underpaid employees, according to figures released by the Department for Business and Trade.
The organisations span retail outlets, hospitality venues, early years settings, social care operators and NHS foundations.
They were directed to reimburse a combined £4 million in outstanding wages alongside £7 million in financial penalties.
A B&Q representative explained that the discrepancies stemmed from errors in calculating regional supplements, which are added to base statutory rates.
The spokesperson confirmed that all impacted employees received full back-payments during July 2025.
The company underpaid 4,530 members of staff by a sum exceeding £456,000.
Five Guys shortchanged 3,699 employees by more than £54,000.
The organisation attributed the errors to technical discrepancies in how wage legislation was interpreted and implemented.
The company stated that the issues were uncovered during an internal audit conducted by HM Revenue and Customs.
The business reported cooperating fully with the tax authority throughout the investigation and confirmed repayment to both current and former workers.
The duration during which the underpayments accumulated was not disclosed.
Additional sectors represented included care homes and childcare establishments.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds expressed the administration’s determination to eradicate the practice of depriving workers of their rightful earnings.
The minister observed that successful enterprises recognise that investing in employees represents both an ethical imperative and a commercially sound approach.
Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden emphasised that failing to meet statutory pay requirements constitutes a breach of law.
She stated that the government would not tolerate situations where employees bear the cost of their employers’ non-compliance.
All businesses were urged to review their wage records immediately and contact Acas for guidance where necessary.
The current statutory minimum rates stand at £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and above, £10.85 for those between 18 and 20, and £8 for employees under 18 or undertaking apprenticeships.