Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Excuses for underpayment of wages can be ‘ridiculous’

Excuses for underpayment of wages can be ‘ridiculous’

HM REVENUE and Customs (HMRC) has said some employers come up with “absurd and ridiculous” excuses to deny their workers the minimum wages they are legally entitled to.

The UK government department, responsible for the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage Act, said contractual agreements and the learning process of workers are two of the most commonly cited excuses for non-payment of minimum wages.


According to British law, a worker older than 23 years shall be paid at least £8.91 per hour, while those aged 21-22 years are entitled to a minimum of £8.36 an hour. Employees in the age group of 18-20 years should be paid at least £6.56 an hour, the minimum hourly rate for those younger than 18 years is £4.62. An apprentice shall not be paid less than £4.30 an hour.

In a press release issued on Tuesday (17), HMRC said some “less scrupulous businesses” cited communication gaps caused by languages for not paying their workers they should be legally given.

According to it, an employer’s excuse was, “my accountant and I speak a different language - he does not understand me, and that is why he does not pay my workers the correct wages”.

While some businesses thought it is okay not to give the minimum wages to young non-British workers, others felt “it is part of the UK's culture not to pay young workers for the first three months as they have to prove their ‘worth’ first”.

The explanations like “she does not deserve the National Minimum Wage because she only makes the teas and sweeps the floors,” are ridiculous, it said.

HMRC director (individuals and small business compliance), Steve Timewell, said underpayment existed in the UK, although it is not a trend in the country.

“The majority of UK employers pay their workers at least the National Minimum Wage”, he said, clarifying that the lame excuses were provided to enforcement officers by “less scrupulous businesses.

“Being underpaid is no joke for workers, so we always apply the law and take action. Workers cannot be asked or told to sign away their rights”.

He said HMRC reviews every complaint made about the minimum wage and warned that any employer “deliberately or unapologetically underpaying their staff will face hefty fines and other enforcement action.”

More For You

ve-day-getty

Union Jack flags are displayed on Regent Street St James's ahead of VE Day 80 on May 4, 2025 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

VE Day events begin across UK to honour WWII veterans

THE UK on Monday began four days of events to mark 80 years since the end of World War II, with a military parade, street parties, and a Buckingham Palace balcony appearance by the royal family.

The events are expected to be the final major commemoration attended by those who served in the Second World War.

Keep ReadingShow less
We will win next general election, claims Nigel Farage

Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage cheers while addressing supporters and the media at Staffordshire County Showground after Reform won control of Staffordshire County Council winning 49 out of 62 seats available with 41 per cent of the overall votes on May 2, 2025 in Stafford, United Kingdom.(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

We will win next general election, claims Nigel Farage

WITH a thumping success in local elections, the hard-right Reform UK party has loosened Britain's two-party stranglehold and is already eyeing Downing Street.

Reform UK, which formed from the remnants of its firebrand leader Nigel Farage's Brexit party, swept over 670 local council seats as well as its first two mayoral posts.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tim Friede’s Snakebite Trials Pave Way for Universal Antivenom

Traditional antivenoms are made by injecting venom into animals

iStock

Tim Friede survives 200 snakebites to help create universal antivenom

Scientists have developed a potentially groundbreaking snake antivenom using the blood of Tim Friede, a US man who has spent nearly two decades injecting himself with venom from some of the world’s deadliest snakes. The research has led to the discovery of antibodies offering unprecedented protection against a broad range of venomous species.

Friede, a former truck mechanic, has been bitten more than 200 times and injected himself with venom over 700 times in an attempt to build immunity. His goal, initially motivated by personal safety while handling snakes, evolved into a mission to aid global snakebite victims. Each year, snakebites kill up to 140,000 people and cause permanent injury or disability in many more, particularly in developing countries.

Keep ReadingShow less
reform-uk-reuters

A Reform UK party poster is seen outside a house in Frodsham. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Reform takes control of Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, becomes largest in Leicestershire

REFORM UK has made major gains in local elections across England, taking control of county councils in Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and becoming the largest party in Leicestershire.

In Leicestershire, the Conservatives lost control of the county council, with no party securing a majority. Reform UK won 25 seats, three short of the 28 required for full control. The Conservatives have 15 seats, the Liberal Democrats 11, Labour has two, with one Green and one independent councillor.

Keep ReadingShow less
Attari-Wagah-border-reuters

Vehicles wait in a line before making their way to Pakistan at the Attari-Wagah border crossing. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

India halts Pakistan imports as tensions rise over Kashmir killings

INDIA has banned the import of goods originating from or transiting via Pakistan following the killing of 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The ban was announced by India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade and takes immediate effect. “This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy,” the notification said.

Keep ReadingShow less