THREE Bradford firms have been named and shamed after being force to pay thousands in backpayments to workers who were paid less than the minimum wage.

A total of 74 workers were underpaid in the district, with a total of £9,329.91 to be backpaid to staff.

The naming and shaming comes as part of the largest release names published by HM Revenue and Customs.

It has names 239 employers nationally, who underpaid 22,400 workers by a total of £1.44 million, more than any previous single naming list, generating record fines of £1.97 million.

Sugra Limited, trading as 247 Professional Health, based in Park Drive, Heaton, failed to pay one worker £5,061.26.

Green Gables care home based in Woodside Road, Low Moor, run by Elmhurst & Oakdene Care Homes, failed to pay £3,578.80 to 72 members of staff, with an average arrears of almost £50 per worker.

Pro Build (Yorkshire) Limited, based in Wibsey Park Avenue, Wibsey, failed to pay £689.85 to one worker.

A spokesperson for 247 Professional Health said the matter has already been settled. No-one was available to comment from Green Gables care home, and Pro Build (Yorkshire) could not be reached for comment.

Andrew Griffith, business minister with the government, said: “Our priority is making sure workers know their rights and are getting the pay they worked hard for.

"Employers who don’t do the right thing face fines as well as being hit with the bill for backpay.

“The UK’s lowest paid workers have had the fastest wage growth in 20 years thanks to the introduction of the National Living Wage and today’s list serves as a reminder to all employers to check they are getting their workers’ pay right.”

The top five reasons identified for underpayments of minimum and living wages were; deductions from wages for costs such as uniform, underpaying apprentices, failing to pay travel time, misusing the accommodation offset, and using the wrong time periods to calculate pay.

Bryan Sanderson, chair of the Low Pay Commission, said: “It is crucial that employers understand their responsibilities and workers know their rights around the minimum wage.

"That is why active enforcement and effective communication from Government is so important.

“It is therefore encouraging to see that HMRC has recovered unpaid wages for the largest number of workers yet in this round of naming and shaming.

"I’m confident that the Government will continue to pursue underpayment of the minimum wage vigorously. "