Eight Cumbrian Firms Failed To Pay Workers National Minimum Wage.
Eight businesses in Cumbria have been named among 658 companies found to have failed to pay workers the National Minimum Wage.
The list has been released by the Government as part of efforts to hold employers accountable and prevent workers from being paid less than the legal minimum. It is the first list issued by the Fair Work Agency since it was established in April to protect workers’ rights. The Cumbrian businesses named on the list are based across the county and include companies operating in manufacturing, hospitality, childcare, automotive and consultancy.
Carlisle Window Systems Limited was reported to have failed to pay £5,242.23 to 23 workers. Mr James W Benson, trading as Mr JW Benson in Keswick, was reported to have failed to pay £4,365 to one worker. In the hospitality sector, Rothay Manor Limited, trading as Rothay Manor Hotel in Ambleside, was reported to have failed to pay £4,016.75 to eight workers. The Crown Hotel (Wetheral) Limited, trading as Crown Hotel Wetheral, was reported to have failed to pay £3,122.08 to four workers.
Other businesses named include Stone Eden Nursery School Limited in Carlisle, which was reported to have failed to pay £1,469.94 to 14 workers, and David Hayton Limited in Penrith, which was reported to have failed to pay £1,145.83 to one worker.
The list also includes The Court Hotel Group Ltd, trading as Allerdale Court Hotel in Cockermouth, with an alleged shortfall of £1,120.28 involving one worker, while Kieser Consultancy Limited in Carlisle was reported to have failed to pay £617.20 to one worker.
The current National Minimum Wage rate is £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. The rate is £10.85 for workers aged 18 to 20 and £8 for workers under 18 and apprentices. Nationally, B&Q topped the list, with an alleged shortfall of £456,934 affecting 4,530 workers. The company said the underpayment was unintentional and that all affected staff had been fully repaid by July 2025.
The Government has also reported that employers on the list have been issued penalties worth a combined £7 million, reinforcing the importance of businesses complying with minimum wage legislation and ensuring workers receive their legal entitlement.
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