Thirty-six businesses across Northern Ireland have been publicly identified by the Department for Business and Trade for failing to pay their employees the statutory minimum wage. The firms, spanning care provision, hospitality, retail, legal services and other sectors, collectively owed affected workers substantial arrears that have now been recovered.
Across the entire United Kingdom, enforcement action resulted in more than 600 employers being ordered to repay outstanding wages totalling £4 million to their staff. Those same firms have also faced penalties amounting to £7 million, reflecting the seriousness with which the government treats wage violations.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds emphasised the government's commitment to eliminating systematic underpayment.
The best businesses know that looking after your workers isn't just the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do,he stated, adding that the administration was resolved to eradicate the practice of
short-changing your staff.
The enforcement action comes as minimum wage rates increased significantly. On 1 April 2026, the hourly rate for workers aged 21 and over rose by 50 pence to £12.71, while those aged 18 to 20 received an 85 pence increase to £10.85. Younger workers and apprentices saw their minimum wage climb by 6 per cent. According to official guidance, these rates apply across Northern Ireland as part of the UK statutory framework.
Which Northern Ireland firms were named?
The 36 businesses identified span a diverse range of industries. Peninsula Care Services (NI) Ltd in Newtownards owed the largest sum, having failed to pay £42,013.29 to 125 workers. Two solicitors' practices were among those named: Patterson & Rocks Limited in Newry (£16,622.92 owed to three workers) and Rosemary Gawn Solicitors in Ballymena (£8,944.60 owed to one worker).
Hotels and hospitality venues featured prominently on the list. The Bushmills Inn Hotel owed £6,914.54 to 100 workers, while the Balmoral Hotel in Belfast owed £2,356.42 to 66 workers. The Thatch Inn in Ballymena owed £1,796.81 to 24 workers, and the Bishop's Gate Hotel in Derry owed £896.31 to 13 workers.
Retail and food businesses also appeared frequently. Costcutter Moutray's in Craigavon owed £6,334.89 to 116 workers, McAtamney's Traditional Butchers in Garvagh owed £4,400.09 to eight workers, and Centra Holywood owed £3,282.09 to 138 workers. Spar Dergvalley Castlederg owed £2,994.41 to 98 workers.
Childcare and community organisations were also named. Peter Rabbit Day Nursery in Hillsborough owed £1,713.54 to 44 workers, Peters Patch Day Nursery owed £1,347.27 to 41 workers, and Whiterock Creche Association in Belfast owed £886.94 to nine workers. Glen Community Parent/Youth Group in Belfast owed £2,958.94 to one worker.
Other businesses included cleaning services, restaurants, bars, golf clubs, and various retail outlets. TCMC Crowded Space Ltd in Belfast owed £3,906.64 to 139 workers, while JSS Bar Grill and Cookery School in Belfast owed £2,424.52 to 71 workers. Portstewart Golf Club owed £3,029.66 to 11 workers.
How does the naming scheme work?
The Department for Business and Trade operates a formal enforcement and naming scheme to deter minimum wage violations. According to government guidance on minimum wage enforcement, the department considers cases for public naming when arrears owed reach £500 or more. A lower threshold of more than £100 applies to repeat offenders or cases involving enforcement action.
This latest round of naming represents part of an ongoing enforcement programme. In a more recent development, Round 23 of the National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme published on 3 September 2026 identified 389 employers across the UK, including 23 additional firms in Northern Ireland, demonstrating that enforcement continues regularly.
What is the wider context?
Minimum wage enforcement has been a recurring issue in Northern Ireland for several years. The region has seen previous naming rounds affecting employers across hospitality, retail, and care sectors, indicating that wage violations span multiple industries and business sizes.
The latest enforcement action reflects broader efforts to protect workers. Earlier in 2026, fifty Scottish firms were named for failing to pay minimum wage to nearly 700 workers, showing that underpayment is not confined to Northern Ireland. Across the UK, enforcement has intensified, with hundreds of employers facing action in successive rounds.
Despite these enforcement challenges, Northern Ireland has recorded positive economic developments. The region achieved the strongest growth in real disposable income of any UK region in 2024, rising 4.1 per cent, driven partly by inflation-linked increases in benefits, pensions, and minimum wage alongside rising private sector wages.
Key facts
- Thirty-six Northern Ireland businesses have been named for failing to pay minimum wage, with £42,013.29 owed by the largest offender, Peninsula Care Services (NI) Ltd
- Across the UK, more than 600 employers were ordered to repay £4 million in outstanding wages and faced £7 million in penalties
- The minimum wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour as of April 2026, with rates of £10.85 for ages 18–20 and 6 per cent increases for younger workers and apprentices
- The Department for Business and Trade names employers when arrears reach £500 or more, or £100 or more for repeat or enforcement-linked cases
- Enforcement continues in regular rounds, with 23 additional Northern Ireland firms named in Round 23 published on 3 September 2026
