Employers who fail to pay the minimum wage could face a £200 fine for every underpaid worker, the government has announced.
Employers already have to pay back arrears they owe to workers, but now those who fail to pay up within seven days will also face the fine.
Trade and industry secretary Alistair Darling said: "Workers have the right to a decent minimum wage and we are determined they get it. The vast majority of good employers need to know that they are operating on a level playing field. These measures will help deliver that. To those employers avoiding the minimum wage, the message is 'don't pay it and you'll pay the fine'."
l For more information on the minimum wage, visit www.dti.gov.uk, or call the
helpline on 0845 6000 678.