The UK government is launching a major crackdown on businesses that short-change their staff, with plans to regularly name and shame employers who break national minimum wage laws.
No Place to Hide for Rogue Employers
As part of reforms expected to be announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the Treasury will publicly identify companies that fail to pay their workers correctly. A Treasury source stated the changes are designed to protect vulnerable workers and ensure there is no place to hide for unscrupulous businesses.
The initiative also aims to clear a significant backlog of cases. Official figures reveal that in October alone, 500 employers were found to have underpaid their staff, affecting a staggering 42,000 workers across the country.
These offending businesses were hit with fines totalling £10.2 million and were forced to reimburse their employees for the wages they were owed.
Budget Announcements on Playgrounds and Vapes
The news comes ahead of Wednesday's Budget, where the Chancellor is also expected to unveil an £18 million scheme to revamp 200 playgrounds in England. This funding, following the government's Pride in Place programme, is intended to create safe and exciting play spaces for thousands of children.
In a separate move to protect public health and support honest retailers, the Budget will grant new powers to Border Force and HM Revenue & Customs to tackle the flood of illegal vapes.
Cracking Down on Illegal Vapes
Authorities will be able to seize illegal vapes on the spot and issue instant fines of £10,000. The government is also creating new criminal offences that could see business owners facing prison time for breaking the rules.
From October 2026, a new safety measure will be introduced: all vapes will need a digital duty stamp with a QR code. This will allow customers and law enforcement to instantly check a product's authenticity. Shops will be given a six-month grace period to sell any existing stock that does not have the stamp.
A Downing Street source said the action was necessary as Britain’s high streets are being flooded with illegal vapes by rogue traders, and the crackdown would protect shoppers and back honest businesses.
