Two west London companies have been named and shamed by the government for failing to pay employees the National Minimum Wage, with one owing more than £3,500 in unpaid wages.

Takeaway pizza shop IPizza, in Crown Street, Acton , and private firm SPRIM V.P.I Limited, in Victoria , were among the almost 200 company names posted online by the government on Thursday (August 11).

The 198 businesses named by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) from across the country owed almost half a million pound in wages.

All of the money owed to the workers has been back back, according to BEIS.

'It is not acceptable'

Business Minister Margot James said: “It is not acceptable that some employers fail to pay at least the minimum wage their workers are entitled to.

“So we'll continue to crack down on those who ignore the law, including by naming and shaming them.

“This government is determined to build an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. That means making sure everyone gets paid the wages they are owed.”

Thousands owed in wages

IPizza UK Ltd, which trades under IPizza, owed £130 to one of its employees, while SPRIM V.P.I Limited in Vauxhall Bridge Road, Victoria, owed £3,543.44 to one member of staff.

SPRIM use scientific data to help companies improve their business.

'Naming and shaming' has been introduced with the aim of enouraging employers to pay the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage for workers over 25 years old, which came into effect in April.

Companies found not to be paying the minimum wage have to pay back arrears of wages but also face penalties of up to £20,000 per worker, and in serious cases can be prosecuted.

getwestlondon has approached SPRIM while IPizza declined to comment.

National wages: what you need to know

  • National Living Wage (25 years and over) - £7.20 per hour
  • adult rate of National Minimum Wage (21 years and over) - £6.70 per hour
  • 18 to 20-year olds - £5.30 per hour
  • 16 to 17-year olds - £3.87 per hour
  • apprentice rate - £3.30 per hour

The apprentice rate applies to apprentices aged 16 to 18 years and those aged 19 years and over who are in their first year.

All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage rate for their age group.