AN AYRSHIRE hotel chain has been named by the UK Government in the latest list of employers who failed to pay staff the minimum wage.

Rad Limited, who own the Carlton in Prestwick, the Lochside in New Cumnock and the Royal in Cumnock, were listed in the document, published last week, as owing 129 workers a total of £6,174.23.

The chain put the discrepancy down to an error in accounting in 2016/17.

A spokesperson said: “The RAD Hotel Group didn’t knowingly pay our staff under the national minimum wage. The underpayment in 2016/17 occurred due to a misunderstanding and oversight in our payroll procedures.

“When this was brought to our attention, It was immediately rectified and measures put in place to ensure the same mistake never happened again.

“Our most recent inspection in 2020 found no issues and stated our Payroll Paperwork and attention to detail were exemplary.

“The payment of our staff members is a job that we take very seriously. Our rates of pay are competitive and our staff are paid above the NMW limit set by BEIS, we also offer many other generous employee benefits.”

The business has since had to pay back what they owe to staff and also face significant financial penalties of up to 200 per cent of what was owed, which are paid to the government.

The Government publications shows that 208 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers £1.2 million in a clear breach of National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, leaving around 12,000 workers out of pocket.

Minister for Labour Markets Paul Scully said: “We want workers to know that we’re on their side and they must be treated fairly by their employers, which is why paying the legal minimum wage should be non-negotiable for businesses.

“Today’s 208 businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working employees, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

“With Christmas fast approaching, it’s more important than ever that cash is not withheld from the pockets of workers. So don’t be a scrooge – pay your staff properly.”