A LUXURY Hampshire hotel that charges guests up to £269-a-night has admitted not paying some of its staff the national minimum wage.

Careys Manor, in Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, failed to pay £1,706.13 to four of its workers in figures released by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (DBEIS).

The hotel and spa, which according to its website welcomes customers to “enjoy heartfelt service, delicious dining and world class spa facilities”, was one of 230 employers in the country found to be underpaying its workers the national minimum or living wage.

James Hiley-Jones, managing director at Careys Manor, said an administration error was to blame for the underpayment to staff.

Mr Hiley-Jones said: “In calculating our inclusive staff accommodation package, we inadvertently breached the minimum wage regulations.

“As soon as we were notified we immediately corrected the error.”

He added: “We are under no illusion that our people are our greatest asset and we pride ourselves on their commitment and talent.

“Naturally we immediately put right the miscalculation, reimbursed staff and apologised to those affected.”

Another business found to be underpaying its staff in Hampshire was hairdressers Hot Heads, based in Hiltingbury Road, Chandler’s Ford.

The firm, which charges customers up to £75 for hair treatments, failed to pay one of its workers £237.64.

A representative from Hot Heads declined to comment when contacted.

The DBEIS published the list of businesses which will now pay back staff that is owed money as well as being fined by the government.

Since 2013, DBEIS has issued a record of companies that do not pay employees enough. The scheme has see more than 40,000 workers paid back £6m, with 1,200 firms fined £4m.

In the latest list, 13,00 of the UK’s lowest paid workers will get a reimbursed £2m.

Business minister Margot James said: “It is against the law to pay workers less than legal minimum wage rates, short-changing ordinary working people and undercutting honest employers.

“The naming round identifies a record £2 million of back pay for workers and sends the clear message to employers that the government will come down hard on those who break the law.”