Business to be challenged over minimum wage

Date: 4th January 2010

Firms who pay their employees less than the national minimum wage have been warned to end the practice or face prosecution.

The government has said that it intends to crack down on 'rogue' employers who take advantage of vulnerable workers and do not pay them appropriately.

A new team of specialists has been set up to tackle the situation and to make sure that staff are paid what they deserve.

According to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, around one million low-paid individuals in the UK benefit from the minimum wage, which currently stands at £5.80 per hour.

This rate is paid to workers above the age of 22 and has been in effect since October 2009.

Pat McFadden, the business minister, said: "The government and HMRC are doing more than ever to make sure that those entitled to the minimum wage are receiving it.

"Evasion hurts both workers and responsible employers who play by the rules, so we are stepping up our fight against non payment of the minimum wage."