TWO Bradford-district based businesses are part of a Government list highlighting those who have failed to pay staff the minimum wage.

Among the 208 employers listed, the firms are joined by six other West Yorkshire companies and a couple of major national retailers with sites in the area.

In Bradford, Xenon Bulbs, on Listerhills Road, failed to pay one worker over £3,000 over an 11-month period in 2016.

The auto parts store owed the employee £3,747.98 arrears between February 12 and December 31.

Xenon Bulbs say it was an administrate error on behalf of the apprentice provider.

In Addingham, Nursery Rhymes Children’s Day Nursery, Pre-school and Jabberwocky Club failed to pay £989.72 to 12 members of staff.

The document says the arrears spanned a two-and-a-half-year period from July 29, 2013, to January 1, 2016.

When approached by the T&A, the nursery said: “It was a simple admin error and it was corrected immediately.”

Two national firms on the list are Waterstones and Matalan, which both have stores in the city.

The bookseller has a branch in The Wool Exchange and Matalan has stores in Mayo Avenue and Harrogate Road.

Waterstones owed £8,689.54 to 58 workers and Matalan failed to pay 16 employees a total of £1,634.48.

Both companies were approached for comment by the T&A.

The 208 businesses have since paid back what they owe staff and also faced significant financial penalties of up to 200% of what was owed, which were paid to the Government.

The investigations by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs concluded between 2014 and 2019.

Business Minister Paul Scully said: “We want workers to know that we’re on their side and they must be treated fairly by their employers.

“The 208 businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working employees, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

“With Christmas fast approaching, it’s more important than ever that cash is not withheld from the pockets of workers. So don’t be a Scrooge – pay your staff properly.”

Bryan Sanderson, chair of the Low Pay Commission, said: “The minimum wage is a success story welcomed by employees and employers alike, but it only works if everyone without exception obeys the law.

“We hope this latest naming round can continue to raise awareness of the most common mistakes businesses make and help protect low-paid workers from unfair treatment.”