Portsmouth, Fareham and Hayling Island firms on government's 'name and shame' list for minimum wage breaches
Three Hampshire employers have been named by the government after failing to pay the minimum wage to some of its workers.
One of the companies named was Vohkus, an IT support and services provider based in Segensworth. Data released shows that two employees were paid under the minimum wage between May 5, 2021 and February 28, 2022 with the company underpaying by £11,607.52 overall. However, the issue was resolved in 2022.
A Vohkus spokesperson said: “Vohkus engaged two apprentices in 2021 who were unable to complete the training and education elements of their programmes because of the Covid pandemic. We were made aware by HMRC at the end of February 2022 that these two individuals should have been paid an employee wage during that period, instead of an apprentice wage.
“From the moment we were contacted by HMRC, we have cooperated fully and provided all relevant information. We settled with the employees under HMRC’s direction and guidance in November 2022 and had understood the matter to be closed.”
Sea View Fish Bar in Hayling Island were another employer listed with one worker underpaid between April 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023 by a total of £715.05. The business told The News that it was down to a misunderstanding and the money has been repaid.
A third business, Gibbs Gas Solutions Ltd based in Portsmouth, are said to have underpaid an employee between November 16, 2020 and April 10, 2022 by £6,262.09. The company was dissolved in 2025.
Across the UK, businesses in sectors including social care, sports and retail were among those failing to comply with minimum wage laws, said the Government.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: "The vast majority of businesses in this country do the right thing by paying their staff properly and playing by the rules. It's not fair on them when others are able to get ahead by not paying the wages their workers are owed.
"A good employer doesn't build their business on the back of unpaid wages, and I look forward to working with the new Fair Work Agency to ensure its powers are used to crack down on those who think the rules don't apply to them."
The Government added that this is the first "naming round" since the Chancellor's budget commitment to publish details more frequently, believing it puts more pressure on employers to keep their payroll up to date and boost workers' confidence that when they are treated poorly by their boss, swift justice will follow.
Employment rights minister Kate Dearden said: "Nobody should finish a week's work and find they've been paid less than they've earned. I believe in a fair day's pay for a fair day's work.
"That's why we're cracking down on employers who underpay. We're making sure workers get the hard earned pay they deserve. I encourage every employer to check their payroll to ensure they don't get caught out."
This is also the final naming round before the new enforcement body the Fair Work Agency begins its work next month, to bring workers' rights enforcement under one roof for the first time.