Three law firms have been 'named and shamed' on a list of almost 500 companies which have been fined for failing to pay the national minimum wage.

The government announced that around 42,000 workers have been repaid by their employers, including well-known high street brands, with employers receiving fines totalling £10.2 million for breaking the rules.

It comes as part of a government drive to make work pay by cracking down on rogue employers, the business secretary said.

Among those employers on the list of employers for failing to pay the national minimum wage were Addison And Khan Solicitors London, an Ilford firm, which the government said failed to pay £6,982.36 to two workers; OCL Solicitors Limited, of Doncaster, which failed to pay £1,703.01 to two workers and Ackroyd Legal (London), of Tower Hamlets, which failed to pay £1,143.45 to one worker. The Gazette has contacted the firms for comment.

Employment rights minister Kate Dearden said: ‘This government is taking direct action to ensure workers get every penny they’ve earned, and to put an end to bad businesses undercutting good ones. We are proud to have delivered a strong minimum wage and enforcing it thoroughly is crucial in our mission to put pounds back in your pocket.'

Niall Mackenzie, Acas chief executive, said: 'Not only is it important for employers to pay the correct minimum wage rates, it is also the law. Failing to do so can result in grievances and potentially legal action, including costly employment tribunals, as well as being named and shamed. Acas has advice on how employers can ensure they calculate the correct rate to pay their workers and what employees should do if they think they are not being paid the correct amount.'