Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

THE G1 Group has been named and shamed for not paying the minimum wage to almost 3,000 workers.

The Glasgow-based company was the top offender out of 48 across the UK highlighted today by Business Minister Jo Swinson.

A HMRC probe found millionaire Stefan King's G1 neglected to pay national minimum wage totalling £45,124 to 2,895 employees.

Between them, the companies named owe workers over £162,000 in arrears, and span sectors including fashion, publishing, hospitality, health and fitness and retail.

King's leisure empire includes nightclubs, bars and off-licenses across the west of Scotland, including the Corinthian Club and Arta in Glasgow.

G1 Group said some employees had fallen bellow the national minimum wage as they had been asked to make a “small contribution” towards the cost of workwear or training.

A company spokesman said: “We are extremely focused on the protection, training and development of our staff, from junior roles on National Minimum Wage all the way through to Senior Management Levels.

“A fundamental part of this process is our annual pay scale reviews - ensuring our employees are always paid in accordance with minimum wage guidelines.

“On some occasions, we have asked our employees to make a small contribution towards the cost of workwear or training to enhance their career performance.

“We understand that in effect, this has previously brought some employees marginally below the minimum wage in some pay periods.

“For this reason, we no longer apply these deductions, and any associated repayments have been made in light of this issue being highlighted.”

But the Government blasted the firms who failed to comply with the legislation.

Ms Swinson said: “There’s no excuse for companies that don’t pay staff the wages they’re entitled to – whether by wilfully breaking the law, or making irresponsible mistakes.

“The Government is protecting workers by cracking down on employers who ignore minimum wage rules.

“In addition to naming and shaming, we’ve increased the penalty fines and boosted the resources available to investigate non-compliance.”

Earlier this month a shock report revealed almost two-thirds of young Scottish workers earn less than the living wage.

The 48 cases named on Tuesday were thoroughly investigated by HM Revenue & Customs.

The scheme to name employers who break minimum wage law came into effect in January 2011 and is one of a range of tools at the government’s disposal to tackle this issue.

A statement from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills added: “Employers who pay workers less than the minimum wage not only have to pay back arrears of wages at current minimum wage rates but also face financial penalties of up to £20,000.

“In the most serious cases employers can be prosecuted.”

Try today's quick quiz: