17 October 2025
Today, 17 October 2025, The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has published a further ‘Naming Round’ announcement regarding National Minimum Wage (NMW).
With the recent announcement of Matthew Taylor being chosen to chair the Fair Work Agency being established in April 2026, it certainly seems like the government wants to show a strong front on employment rights and compliance.
This round of naming and shaming sees over £6 million being repaid to workers and over £10 million in fines for the almost 500 employers found to have broken NMW rules.
While fines can be a strong deterrent, it's important you understand the issues that can cause a breach to happen, as they're not always intentional. Alongside the naming and shaming list, DBT publishes a list of the reasons for the highlighted breaches, this can be an excellent resource to see what areas need special attention.
The educational bulletin posted alongside the announcement highlights the below as the most common reasons for error:
- Failure to pay the correct rate to apprentices
- Failure to pay the uprated minimum wage
- Unpaid working time takes pay below the minimum wage
Business Secretary, Peter Kyle, said:
“Every worker deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, and this government will not tolerate rogue employers who short-change their staff. I know that no employer wants to end up on one of these lists. But our Plan to Make Work Pay cracks down on those not playing by the rules. This ensures a level playing field where all businesses pay what they owe whilst workers receive the boost to their living standards they deserve.”
Jason Davenport, CEO of the CIPP said:
“It’s imperative for pay professionals to be aware of the nuances to National Minimum Wage (NMW), to ensure compliant calculation and payment of eligible workers pay. The most common downfalls to this complex area of legislation, take place in the form of the incorrect rate being paid to apprentices, and unpaid working time.
"This round highlights the vast number of employees who have been incorrectly paid by their employer. The CIPP supports pay professions to remain compliant, and to do everything they can to stay off these very publications.
"The CIPP works closely with the Low Pay Commission to facilitate Think Tanks each year as we know how important compliance and ongoing changes in this area are. Our members have raised concerns of NMW increases and their impact on pay differentials and salary sacrifice arrangements, as well as the need for simple and understandable guidance and legislation in order to comply with the law.”
To ensure you’re keeping up to date with NWM compliance, enrol on to our NMW Masterclass.
National Minimum Wage Masterclass – 10â¯CPD Points | IPPE | CIPP
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