The video will start in 8 Cancel

What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Primark and Sports Direct are among 260 firms named and shamed today for failing to pay the minimum wage.

In total, the 260 companies underpaid 16,000 workers £1.7m in back pay and have been fined £1.3m.

Business Minister Margot James said: “There is no excuse for not paying staff the wages they’re entitled to.”

Green MP and Best for Britain Champion Caroline Lucas branded the list "Brexit Britain at its worst and most exploitative."

She added: "These figures show that bosses are continuing to exploit workers and take them for a ride. There's a real concern that workers are set to suffer even more as the Government pursues its damaging brexit. Workers' rights are under threat - and a brexit hit to our economy could see firms going to even greater lengths to avoid paying people what they deserve."

(Image: PA)

Tim Roache, GMB general secretary, said: “These companies rake in millions of pounds in profit yet seemingly think it’s ok to cheat workers who are already paid a pittance out of the wages they are legally entitled to. It absolutely stinks.”

Primark said it was “committed to the National Minimum Wage and has apologised to the employees concerned”.

Sports Direct said: “This matter relates to the historical situation in our warehouse.”

Here's the list of employers in full