WIREDGOV

The TUC has yesterday (Thursday) welcomed the news that over 26,000 workers denied the national minimum wage by their employers have received a £4m windfall, after action by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'These investigations show why more resources must be put into catching minimum wage cheats.

'As well as handing out fines, the government must publicly name and shame all those rogue employers who knowingly underpay their staff.

'Nearly a million UK workers rely on the national minimum wage, which has become a vital lifeline. There must be no hiding places for companies who flout it.

'The action taken by HMRC is a welcome step but must be the beginning of a concerted campaign that also raises awareness about the right to a legal wage among those being exploited.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- In 2012-13, HMRC investigated 1,693 complaints against employers for allegedly breaching minimum wage rules. This resulted in 708 employers receiving automatic penalty charges of up to £5,000 and 26,519 employees receiving an average of £300 in back pay, topping up wages that had previously been below the legal minimum rate.

- The TUC's campaign plan can be downloaded from www.tuc.org.uk/campaignplan

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:

Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk