The government this week launched a nationwide campaign to increase awareness among low paid workers about their rights in relation to pay.

The national advertising campaign - which will be carried on public transport, in shopping centres and other public places - is being rolled out in advance of a rise in the rates for the National Minimum and National Living Wage on 1 April.

It comes as a new poll for the government showed many people in low paid work are confused about when they should be paid and what deductions from their pay packets can legally be made.

The poll of more than 1,400 workers earning less than £15,000 found:

  • 69 per cent did not know they were entitled to be paid for travel time between appointments
  • 57 per cent did not know that it is unlawful for an employer to deduct money from their wages to cover the costs of their uniform if it takes their earnings below the rates for the National Minimum or National Living Wage
  • 48 per cent did not know that an employer cannot use tips to top up pay to the legal minimum

Some of the most common excuses given to HMRC by employers for underpaying workers include using tips to top up pay to the minimum wage, making staff pay for their uniforms out of their salary, not paying for shutting up shop or for time waiting for security checks, or the time spent travelling from one appointment to another.

Ahead of 1 April, workers are being encouraged to check their pay, speak to their boss about the rate rise and report underpayment to Acas, the independent workplace advisory service.

From 1 April 2017, the National Living Wage rate (for those aged 25 and over) will increase by 30p to £7.50 per hour. The National Minimum Wage increases as follows:

  • the rate for 21 to 24 year olds goes up by 10 pence to £7.05 per hour
  • the rate for 18 to 20 year olds goes up by 5 pence to £5.60 per hour
  • the rate for 16 to 17 year olds goes up by 5 pence to £4.05 per hour
  • the apprentice rate goes up by 10 pence to £3.50 per hour

Neil Todd, of Thompsons Solicitors, said “Last month the government named 360 employers who had failed to pay either the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage. More than 15,500 workers had to be paid back close to one million pounds.

As has been widely reported, this is by no means the whole story and the National Office of Statistics has calculated that 362,000 jobs did not pay the National Minimum Wage in April 2016.

A campaign to raise awareness amongst lower paid workers about what they are entitled to be paid is welcome but this problem will not subside unless more robust action is taken.

There have been only 13 prosecutions resulting from a failure to pay the National Minimum Wage since 2007 and this is insufficient on any analysis given the scale of the problem”.

For further information on the National Minimum and National Living Wage and to report underpayment, go to: https://checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk/