1.5 million miss out on National Minimum Wage

A decade after the introduction of the national minimum wage (NMW), the TUC calculates that at least 1.5 million workers in the UK still do not receive the pay due to them. Yet often all that is needed to make an employer start paying is to bring the issue to their attention.

To help track down rogue employers who resist paying and support unions tackling wage enforcement the TUC has updated its guide, Enforcing the National Minimum Wage. Workers are most likely to lose out in London, the north-west and Merseyside, and in occupations such as catering, retail and hairdressing. Last year just £3.9 million was recovered from law-breaking bosses.

NMW for adults is £5.73 per hour. For 18-year-olds it is £4.79 and for under-18s £3.53. To download the publication, go to www.tuc.org.uk/extras/nmwenforcement.pdf

There is a helpline to report underpaying employers on 0845 600 0678.