Bosses at a Bradford garage have today been named and shamed by the Government for failing to pay an employee the national minimum wage.

Alan King and John King, of Arthur Simpson & Co, which operates in Highfield Road, Idle, are said to have been neglected to pay £6,426.12 to a worker.

The firm is among 25 employers, including a hire company, a hairdressers, a hotel and a shop, named as part of a new Government crackdown.

Between them, they owe workers more than £43,000 in arrears, and face fines totalling more than £21,000.

It is the biggest number of employers publicly named since a new regime was announced last year.

The Government also plans to increase fines, so that an employer underpaying ten workers could face penalties of up to £200,000.

Business Minister Jenny Willott said: "Paying less than the minimum wage is not only wrong, it's illegal. If employers break the law they need to know that they will face tough consequences.

"Any worker who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it. If anyone suspects they are not being paid the wage they are legally entitled to they should call the Pay and Work Rights helpline on 0800 917 2368."

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "It's great that minimum wage crooks are finally getting named and shamed.

"Under-paying your lowest paid staff is immoral and illegal. Employers caught in the act deserve to be fined and have their reputation ruined.

"This should send a clear message that dodging the minimum wage does not pay. All minimum wage cheats should be named and shamed, and HMRC need greater resources to catch even more crooks."

No-one at Arthur Simpson & Co could be contacted by the Telegraph & Argus today.