FIVE Hampshire firms have been named and shamed today for failing to pay the minimum wage.

They are among more than 90 employers who have failed to pay their workers the National Minimum Wage, Business Minister Nick Boles announced today.

Between them, the 92 companies named owed £1,873,712 in arrears, and cover sectors including hairdressing, social care, hospitality and security services.

Since the scheme was introduced in October 2013, 490 employers have been named and shamed, with total arrears of over £3,000,000 and total penalties of over £1,100,000.

Business Minister Nick Boles said: “As a one nation government on the side of working people we are determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage receives it. There is no excuse for not paying staff the wages they’re entitled to.

“Our policy of naming and shaming employers who ignore the law means there are consequences for their reputation as well as their wallets.

“In April we will introduce a new National Living Wage which will mean a pay rise of over £900-a-year for someone working full time on the minimum wage and we will enforce this equally robustly.”

On 1 October 2015, the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rose to £6.70. Employers should be aware of the different rates for the National Minimum Wage depending on the circumstances of their workers.

The 92 cases named today were thoroughly investigated by HM Revenue and Customs.

The naming and shaming scheme was revised in October 2013 to make it simpler to name and shame employers that do not comply with minimum wage rules.