B&Q and Five Guys Among 658 Firms Named and Shamed for Minimum Wage Violations

 B&Q and Five Guys Among 658 Firms Named and Shamed for Minimum Wage Violations

**More than 27,000 workers were underpaid a total of £4 million, with the government issuing £7 million in penalties and vowing to publish naming lists more regularly .**

DIY chain B&Q and fast-food giant Five Guys are among the hundreds of UK businesses publicly named by the government for failing to pay staff the legal minimum wage . B&Q underpaid **4,530 workers** more than £456,000, while Five Guys owed over £54,000 to **3,699 staff** .

## What the Government Announced

The Department for Business and Trade released the list of **658 employers** that underpaid their staff, ordering them to repay approximately £4 million to **more than 27,000 workers** . The businesses also face penalties totaling **£7 million** .

The national minimum wage rates are currently:

- **£12.71** for staff aged 21 and over (the National Living Wage)

- **£10.85** for 18 to 20 year olds

- **£8.00** for under-18s and apprentices 

## Companies Say Underpayments Were Unintentional

**B&Q** attributed the shortfall to "calculations involving geographical allowances which are paid in addition to minimum hourly rates," stating that the underpayments were unintentional and that affected staff were paid in full by July 2025 .

**Five Guys** blamed "technical differences in how payroll regulations were applied" following an HMRC review, adding that all required payments to affected employees had been made .

**Whitbread**, owner of Premier Inn, was also named for failing to pay **342 employees** a total of £4,193, which the company attributed to an administrative error .

Other notable names on the list include **Elysium Healthcare Holdings**, **St George's Epsom and St Helier Hospital Group**, **Forest Holidays**, and **Leeds United Football Club** .

## Government Vows Tougher Enforcement

The government said it is committed to publishing these naming lists more regularly to ensure employers are "swiftly held to account" .

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "Short-changing your staff isn't a shortcut to success and we are determined to stamp it out" .

Kate Dearden, minister for the future of work, added: "Underpaying your staff is illegal, and we will not let workers foot the bill for their boss failing to follow the rules" .

The announcement marks the first naming round since the launch of the government's new Fair Work Agency in April 2026 .

---

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. Which companies were named for underpaying staff?

B&Q, Five Guys, and Whitbread (owner of Premier Inn) were among the household names listed. Other employers included Elysium Healthcare, St George's Epsom and St Helier Hospital Group, Forest Holidays, Leeds United Football Club, and many smaller firms .

### 2. How many workers were affected?

More than **27,000 workers** across 658 companies were underpaid, receiving a total of £4 million in backdated wages .

### 3. What is the current minimum wage in the UK?

The current rates (from April 2026) are: **£12.71** for workers aged 21 and over, **£10.85** for 18-20 year olds, and **£8.00** for under-18s and apprentices .

### 4. Why did B&Q and Five Guys underpay staff?

B&Q said the underpayments related to calculations involving geographical allowances. Five Guys blamed "technical differences in how payroll regulations were applied" identified during an HMRC review .

### 5. What penalties do the companies face?

The businesses have been ordered to repay the lost wages and face penalties totaling **£7 million** .

### 6. Will the government keep naming companies?

Yes. The government said it is committed to publishing these lists more regularly to hold employers to account more swiftly .

---

## Disclaimer

*This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. The information provided is based on publicly available government announcements and news reports as of September 2026. Minimum wage rates, regulations, and enforcement actions are subject to change. For guidance on employment law or payroll compliance, please consult a qualified professional or the UK government's official guidance.*