Martin Lewis has issued wage check warning after 370,000 people were underpaid last year. The BBC and ITV star has urged UK workers to inspect their payslips, following news of widespread underpayments in the wake of Christmas.
The Low Pay Commission has warned 370,000 workers up and down the country who were on the minimum wage were paid less than they should’ve been in 2024. Mr Lewis said: “New 2024 figures from the Low Pay Commission show that 370,000 people on minimum wage were paid less than they should’ve been.
“With the minimum wage set to jump in April, it’s even more important all those on lower incomes don’t just assume their employers are following the rules – even big names get it wrong. For example, in Feb 2024, Easyjet, Greggs, Moss Bros and Estée Lauder were among those included in the Govt’s list of 500 firms named for underpaying min wage, though some of the reasons were complex – a new list’s due soon.
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“So it’s worth checking…” He went on and said: “You’ve a legal right to be paid more and to back pay going back a maximum of six years. Of course, some people are scared to complain and don’t want to rock the boat. You cannot lose your job for raising this. If you’re unsure, you can call the ACAS helpline to talk through your options.”
Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said: “Employees deserve to get paid properly for the hard work they put in. While the majority of businesses already do the right thing and pay their staff what they are owed, today’s announcement sends a message to the minority who aren’t – that there are repercussions to undercutting hard work from their staff.”
Whilst not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, the government has been clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it, and that enforcement action will be taken against employers who do not pay their staff correctly.