UK government names 65 London employers for wage underpayment, largest fine levied on Adecco UK Ltd

The UK government has publicly named 65 London businesses, including Adecco UK Ltd and Hugo Boss, for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage, as part of a crackdown on wage violations across sectors in the capital.

The UK government has published a list naming 65 London businesses that have been fined for failing to pay their employees the National Minimum Wage, highlighting a significant issue of wage underpayment across a range of sectors in the capital. Leading the list is Adecco UK Ltd, based in Lambeth, which owed nearly £437,000 to over 3,300 workers, marking it as the largest offender in London. Other high-profile names include global fashion brand Hugo Boss, Cineworld cinemas, and even local authorities such as Havering Council.

The government has taken steps to rectify these injustices, repaying approximately £6 million to around 42,000 workers nationwide who had been short-changed. In total, nearly 500 employers across the UK received fines totaling £10.2 million for failing to adhere to minimum wage laws. This disciplinary action is part of the government’s ongoing National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme designed to hold rogue employers accountable.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle emphasised the government’s firm stance, stating, “Every worker deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, and this government will not tolerate rogue employers who short-change their staff.” His comments underline the ongoing commitment to protecting workers’ rights and ensuring fair pay in workplaces.

The organisations fined for non-compliance represent a wide variety of industries beyond just hospitality and retail. For example, WGC Ltd, a multi-service provider with clients including major hotel chains such as Hilton, Radisson, and Marriott, failed to pay over £62,000 to more than 1,000 workers. From nurseries and pharmacies to global law firms and local government bodies, the list encompasses diverse employers, reflecting how prevalent wage violations can be across sectors.

Niall Mackenzie, Chief Executive of Acas, reinforced the importance of compliance by reminding employers that paying the correct minimum wage is not just a moral obligation but a legal requirement. He warned that failing to do so may lead to grievances, costly employment tribunals, and public shaming, which can damage a company’s reputation and finances.

Among businesses named were City Pub Group PLC, Self-Portrait Ltd, and Rooftop Rooms Limited, as well as small entities such as nurseries and individual contractors. The range in size and sector demonstrates that wage violations are not confined to any single industry or business scale.

The government’s action in exposing these employers and ensuring repayment to underpaid workers serves both as a remedy for the affected employees and a deterrent against future breaches. It also shines a light on the ongoing challenge of enforcing labour standards and protecting vulnerable workers in a dynamic labour market.

📌 Reference Map:

• ^[1] MyLondon – Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
• ^[2] UK Government – Paragraphs 1, 2, 3
• ^[3] The Guardian – Paragraphs 1, 3
• ^[4] BBC – Paragraphs 1, 2, 3
• ^[5] The Independent – Paragraphs 1, 3
• ^[6] Evening Standard – Paragraphs 1, 2, 3
• ^[7] The Telegraph – Paragraph 3

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The UK government has recently published a list of 65 London businesses fined for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage, highlighting a significant issue of wage underpayment across various sectors in the capital. This action is part of the government’s ongoing National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme designed to hold employers accountable. The report includes updated data on the amounts owed and the number of workers affected, indicating a high level of freshness. However, similar actions have been reported in the past, such as the naming of 139 companies in December 2020 for failing to pay £6.7 million to over 95,000 workers. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rogue-employers-named-and-shamed-for-failing-to-pay-minimum-wage?utm_source=openai)) Therefore, while the specific details in this report are current, the broader issue of underpayment has been ongoing. Additionally, the report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([newsfromcrystalpalace.wordpress.com](https://newsfromcrystalpalace.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/more-than-450-firms-named-and-shamed-for-not-paying-national-minimum-wage-and-what-to-do-if-you-think-youre-not-being-paid-properly-government-to-tackle-antisemitism-and-other-forms-of-racism/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score:
9

Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Niall Mackenzie, Chief Executive of Acas. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes indicates that they are original to this report, with no identical matches found in earlier material. This suggests that the quotes are potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative originates from reputable organisations, including the UK government and established news outlets such as The Guardian, BBC, and The Independent. This lends a high level of credibility to the information presented.

Plausability check

Score:
9

Notes:
The claims made in the report are plausible and align with previous reports of similar nature. The inclusion of specific details, such as the amounts owed and the number of workers affected, adds credibility. The language and tone are consistent with official government communications, and the structure focuses on the key issue without excessive or off-topic detail.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative presents current and credible information regarding the underpayment of workers by 65 London businesses. The inclusion of original quotes and the use of reputable sources further support its reliability. While the broader issue of wage underpayment has been ongoing, the specific details in this report are current and plausible.