The Fair Work Agency has issued multi‑million‑pound penalties to several major UK employers for failures to pay the National Minimum Wage. How serious is wage compliance?

Large companies employing thousands of employees in the UK, including B&Q, Five Guys, and multiple NHS trusts, have failed to pay the national minimum wage. This is the first list of companies named since the Fair Work Agency (FWA) was set up in April 2026.  More than 27,000 workers have been repaid over £4 million, with fines totalling £7 million imposed on 658 employers. The FWA emphasised that underpayment, whether due to payroll errors, misapplied allowances, or poor oversight, remains unlawful regardless of any other factors or reasoning.

The seriousness of these recent fines is clear: minimum wage compliance is non‑negotiable. Ensure that you have robust payroll checks and accurate time‑recording. The FWA’s approach shows that even technical mistakes can lead to public naming, financial penalties and reputational damage.