Five Cambridgeshire firms failing to pay staff minimum wage

In total, 660 companies nationwide were on the list published on Thursday (September 3) of firms short-changing staff, as part of the Government's continuing drive to hold bosses to account.

No firms from East Cambridgeshire or Huntingdonshire were named, but four from Peterborough and one from the Fenland area were listed.

Those named in Peterborough were:

Activity World Ltd, which underpaid £7,417.91 to two staff

Alves iCare Ltd, which underpaid £5,972.47 to four staff

Stars Day Nurseries Ltd , which underpaid £5,516.80 to six staff

Prime Catering (Peterborough) Ltd, trading as Shanghai Garden, which underpaid £1,144.09 to seven staff

Meanwhile, in Fenland, Crown Service Station (Outwell) Ltd, trading as The Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell, underpaid £651,88 to one member of staff.

Nationally, around £4 million has been returned to over 27,000 workers who had been denied the pay they were legally owed, with penalties totalling £7 million issued to the employers responsible. 

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "The best businesses know that looking after your workers isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do, building the stronger, more successful businesses that drive growth in every postcode. 

"Most employers already understand this, and I want to work with them to ensure they have every piece of guidance and support available to help them follow the rules.  

"Short-changing your staff isn’t a shortcut to success and we are determined to stamp it out."

Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden, Minister for Work, added: "Underpaying your staff is illegal, and we will not let workers foot the bill for their boss failing to follow the rules. 

"We’re making sure workers get the hard-earned pay they deserve, and where employers fall short, they will be held to account. 

"Every employer should check their payroll now and reach out to Acas if they need further support."

It is also the first ‘naming round’ since the Fair Work Agency was set up in April. This brand-new enforcement body was formed through the recently passed Employment Rights Act to bring workers’ rights enforcement under one roof for the first time. 

Offering a single, streamlined place where employers will be able to get guidance on how to follow the rules, the Fair Work Agency will have more muscle to ensure that workers across the country get every penny they are owed, giving families more room to breathe. 

This not only includes enforcing payment of the minimum wage but is soon set to tackle those who break the law by denying holiday and sick pay. 

If workers suspect they are being underpaid, they can visit gov.uk/checkyourpay to find out more about what they can do.  

Workers and employers can visit the Acas website for free, impartial and confidential advice or to complain that they have been underpaid.

The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates from April 2026 are: 21 and over - £12.71, 18 to 20 - £10.83, under 18 - £8 and apprentice - £8.