Firms named and shamed for underpaying staff

Two Exeter-based employers have been named and shamed by the government for failing to pay staff the minimum wage, as part of a nationwide crackdown that has seen millions of pounds repaid to workers.

Businesses in and around Exeter were included in a list of nearly 400 employers found to have underpaid staff, with thousands of workers across the UK collectively owed more than £7.3 million.

The Crusty Cob (creations) Ltd, Skyways Business Park near Exeter Airport, failed to pay over £5,200 to 79 workers, while LED Community Leisure Limited Unit 16, Woodbury Business Park, Rydon Ln, Woodbury, Exeter underpaid 67 workers by more than £3,500.

Both firms have since repaid staff, with penalties also issued as part of wider enforcement action.

Nationally, around 60,000 workers were found to have been underpaid, with the government handing out £12.6 million in fines to employers who breached minimum wage laws.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the move was about ensuring fairness for workers and honest businesses. “A good employer doesn’t build their business on the back of unpaid wages,” he said.

The crackdown comes as the government prepares to launch a new Fair Work Agency next month, aimed at strengthening enforcement of employment rights, including minimum wage, sick pay and holiday pay.

For Exeter, the findings highlight how national employment issues can impact workers locally, particularly in sectors such as hospitality and leisure where lower-paid roles are more common.

Workers who believe they may have been underpaid are being urged to check their pay and report concerns, as ministers step up efforts to tackle wage violations and support those struggling with the cost of living.