Hall & Woodhouse and BH Live failed to pay minimum wage

Hall & Woodhouse and BH Live were among 202 businesses named by HMRC over their failure to pay their lowest-earning workforce properly.

The Blandford-based brewery failed to pay a total of £14,354.50 to 23 workers – an average of nearly £450 owed per worker.

Bournemouth-based BH Live, which runs the BIC, the Pavilion and leisure centres such as Littledown, Pelhams and Stokewood, failed to pay £3,757.43 to 130 workers.

Both businesses faced financial penalties and have since paid back what they owed to staff. The investigations by HMRC concluded between 2017 and 2019.

BH Live runs the BIC

Hall & Woodhouse, which operates a brewery in the centre of Blandford, said the breach came after an “unintentional technical error”.

A spokesperson said: “Our hourly pay has always met or exceeded minimum wage, and Hall & Woodhouse has paid all team members the real living wage as a minimum since 2021.

“We were made aware of an unintentional technical error relating to uniform and deduction policy during an audit by HMRC in 2018. We rectified the administrative issue and promptly reimbursed affected team members.”

BH Live also said the breach resulted from an error which was quickly rectified.

A spokesperson said: “BH Live is committed to making sure its employees receive the correct rate of pay and has not intentionally underpaid individuals.

“Relating to an historical issue that was resolved in 2019, an audit identified a technical error which affected some of our colleagues on National Minimum Wage.

“We responded quickly to apologise to the individuals concerned and promptly issued reimbursement. Processes have since been thoroughly reviewed to ensure this does not occur again.”

Hall & Woodhouse brewery in Blandford, Dorset.

HMRC said that while not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, there is “no excuse for underpaying workers”.

This comes after the government increased the National Minimum Wage by 9.7 per cent in April.

Minister for enterprise, markets and small business Kevin Hollinrake said: “Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and all businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.

“Most businesses do the right thing and look after their employees, but we’re sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law: pay your staff properly or you’ll face the consequences.”

Bryan Sanderson, chair of the Low Pay Commission, added: “Regular naming rounds should be a useful tool in raising awareness of underpayment and helping to protect minimum wage workers.”