Over £220,000 has been repaid to around 700 workers by their employers, which include well-known brands, hotels, and travel companies
By Lucy Ashton
Nearly 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, left, 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.”
Seaforth Hotels Limited, Helensburgh, failed to pay £1,807 to 5 workers.
Crieff Hydro Limited, Crieff, failed to pay £33,992 to 131 workers.
Stena Line PTE Ltd, Glasgow, failed to pay £20,585 to 11 workers.
Crinan Hotel (Argyll) Limited (The), Crinan, failed to pay £1,317 to 24 workers.