SSE fined for owing five staff £2,200 in wages

SSE has been named and shamed by the government for paying below the national minimum wage.

The Perth-based firm, which is one of the so-called big six energy firms, neglected to pay almost £2,234 to five workers, according to the government.

It has placed the firm on a list along with nurseries, pizza restaurants, a hotel and a fish and chip shop.

Details of 70 employers were published after they were fined a total of £70,000 for owing workers more than £157,000.

It included C&R Tyres Ltd, of Kelso, which neglected to pay more than £2,261 to three workers.

More than 160 employers have now been publicly named by the government since a new regime came into force in 2013.

Liberal Democrat Business Minister Jo Swinson said: “Paying less than the minimum wage is illegal, immoral and completely unacceptable. Naming and shaming gives a clear warning to employers who ignore the rules, that they will face reputational consequences as well as financial penalties of up to £20,000 if they don’t pay the minimum wage.

“We’re working hard in areas where we know there are particular problems, like the care sector, to make sure staff are paid fairly for the hard work they do.

“We are legislating so that this penalty can be applied to each underpaid worker rather than per employer.”

Around 100 cases in the care sector are currently being investigated.

One carers organisation, East Midlands Crossroads, owed the most on the latest list; £37,500 to 184 workers.

The Low Pay Commission’s report on how much the national minimum wage should rise is set to be given to the government amid union calls for an hourly rate of £7 ahead of next month’s Budget.

The TUC has welcomed the publication of the most recent list.