iStockNearly 50 businesses in Scotland have been fined a total of more than £400,000 for failing to pay the national minimum wage.
The UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has revealed 46 employers across the country failed to pay the minimum wage.
Over £220,000 has been repaid to around 700 workers by their employers, which include well-known high-street brands, hotels, and travel companies.
Across the whole of the UK, nearly 500 employers were fined more than £10m, including British Gas owner Centrica, EG Group and Holland & Barrett.
Crieff Hydro Limited, which operates several luxury hotels, was found to have underpaid 131 staff members by £33,992, according to the DBT.
J. Puddleducks Childcare Limited in Aberdeen was said to have failed to pay £30,057 to 62 workers.
Stena Line PTE Ltd, the ferry operator, failed to pay £20,585 to 11 workers.
A number of other privately-owned firms, including nurseries, restaurants and bars, were also named on the list.
Five firms from Glasgow were named, three in Aberdeen, while a number were fined in the East, North East and Highlands and Islands.
What is the National Minimum Wage in the UK?
| 2024 rate | 2025 rate | |
| National Living Wage (21 and over) | £11.44 | £12.21 |
| 18 to 20 | £8.60 | £10.00 |
| Under 18 | £6.40 | £7.55 |
| Apprentice | £6.40 | £7.55 |
The Government says its Plan to Make Work Pay will directly benefit around 15 million people, or half of all UK workers.
From April next year, the Employment Rights Bill will also establish a new Fair Work Agency with more powers to tackle employers underpaying workers and failing to pay holiday and sick pay.
Employment rights minister Kate Dearden said: “This government is taking direct action to ensure workers get every penny they’ve earned, and to put an end to bad businesses undercutting good ones.
“We are proud to have delivered a strong minimum wage and enforcing it thoroughly is crucial in our mission to put pounds back in your pocket.
“I know this news will be welcomed by brilliant businesses across the country, those who know that happy, well-paid staff are at the heart of building a successful company.
“With our new Fair Work Agency and the coming Employment Rights Bill, this government is keeping our promise to Britain to make work pay again.”
Scotland office minister Kirsty McNeill said: “Every Scottish worker deserves the pay they are entitled to. Our government is delivering real change for working people, boosting the minimum wage for 200,000 of Scotland’s lowest-paid workers and taking action against employers who break the rules.
“We are bringing in the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, and we will not tolerate employers who short-change their staff.”
Full list of Scottish businesses fined for failing to pay minimum wage
| Crieff Hydro Limited, Crieff, failed to pay £33,992 to 131 workers. |
| J. Puddleducks Childcare Limited, Aberdeen, failed to pay £30,057 to 62 workers. |
| Mr James D Oakden & Mrs Frances I Hay Smith, Cupar, failed to pay £28,379 to 7 workers. |
| Stena Line PTE Ltd, Glasgow, failed to pay £20,585 to 11 workers. |
| Seada Uaine Ltd, Isle of Jura, failed to pay £11,190 to 18 workers. |
| Little Me Nursery Limited, Glasgow, failed to pay £7,841 to 15 workers. |
| Windscreen Services (argyll) Ltd, Oban, failed to pay £7,191 to 3 workers. |
| David Bryson & Sons Limited, Prestwick, failed to pay £6,766 to 25 workers. |
| Rompers Private Nursery Limited, Montrose, failed to pay £6,311 to 5 workers. |
| Peebles Hydro Limited, Peebles, failed to pay £4,328 to 28 workers. |
| J S K Retail (GLW) Ltd, Alloa, failed to pay £4,007 to 1 worker. |
| K & P Cooper Ltd, Annan, failed to pay £3,920 to 1 worker. |
| Ballathie House Hotel Company Limited, Stanley, failed to pay £3,445 to 33 workers. |
| Wright Hardware Limited, Prestwick, failed to pay £3,279 to 77 workers. |
| Mr James D Oakden & Mrs Sarah Oakden, Cupar, failed to pay £3,191 to 2 workers. |
| Driveline Holdings Limited, Grangemouth, failed to pay £3,055 to 3 workers. |
| Mackay Hotel Company Ltd, Wick, failed to pay £3,051 to 3 workers. |
| The Daisychain Nursery Kirkcaldy Ltd., Kirkcaldy, failed to pay £2,825 to 14 workers. |
| ABY Autos Ltd, Hamilton, failed to pay £2,630 to 1 worker. |
| Ms Anne Myles, Miss Stacey Myles & Miss Teri Devine, Dundee, failed to pay £2,511 to 5 workers. |
| Sinclair Nursery Limited, Glasgow, failed to pay £2,501 to 2 workers. |
| Gemmell Hammond Limited, Arbroath, failed to pay £2,422 to 1 worker. |
| Spring Engineering Services Limited, Livingston, failed to pay £2,222 to 3 workers. |
| Cinemaattic Productions CIC, Edinburgh, failed to pay £2,029 to 2 workers. |
| Mr Edward Phillips, Coatbridge, failed to pay £2,019 to 2 workers. |
| Kingswellies Nursery Limited, Aberdeen, failed to pay £1,928 to 4 workers. |
| MacPhails Coaches Limited, Shotts, failed to pay £1,879 to 12 workers. |
| Thistle Alterations Ltd, Aberdeen, failed to pay £1,874 to 2 workers. |
| Seaforth Hotels Limited, Helensburgh, failed to pay £1,807 to 5 workers. |
| MJM Builders Limited, Glasgow, failed to pay £1,773 to 1 worker. |
| The Three Chimneys (Scotland) Limited, Isle of Skye, failed to pay £1,527 to 7 workers. |
| Mrs Anna K Bednarz, Isle Of Skye, failed to pay £1,520 to 1 worker. |
| Enchanted Forest Nursery Limited, Bishopton, failed to pay £1,482 to 4 workers. |
| Crinan Hotel (Argyll) Limited (The), Crinan, failed to pay £1,317 to 24 workers. |
| Bar Aldo Limited, Alloa, failed to pay £1,268 to 11 workers. |
| Abby Cleaning (Scotland) Ltd, Glasgow, failed to pay £1,002 to 49 workers. |
| Orchard Grove Nurseries Limited, Paisley, failed to pay £834 to 1 worker. |
| Pace & Bene Limited, Kilwinning, failed to pay £814 to 1 worker. |
| Crofthead Holiday Park Limited, Ayr, failed to pay £763 to 1 worker. |
| Mr Alexander Stuart, Mrs Freda Thomson Stuart, Mrs Emma Jane Stuart, Mr Grant Reid, Dunning, failed to pay £741 to 1 worker. |
| Event Evolution Limited, Port Glasgow, failed to pay £686 to 4 workers. |
| The Rissco Collection Limited, Strathaven, failed to pay £680 to 25 workers. |
| Ubiquitous Chip Ltd, Dunbar, failed to pay £675 to 47 workers. |
| Mackie’s Limited, Rothienorman, failed to pay £568 to 2 workers. |
| New Inn Hotel Limited, Ellon, failed to pay £538 to 15 workers. |
| Mazaj Dundee Limited, Dundee, failed to pay £529 to 16 workers. |
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