A New Malden-based employment agency has been "named and shamed" by the Government for failing to pay workers the national minimum wage.

PayeRise is included on a list of 260 employers that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) says have underpaid staff.

The company, which lists among the “benefits” of using it an “excellent remuneration package”, is reported to have failed to pay £29,979.27 to 130 workers.

This is the sixth largest amount of money on the list, which includes such firms as SportsDirect.com and Primark Stores.

A total of £1.7 million in back pay was identified for 16,000 workers, with retail, hairdressing and hospitality businesses the most prolific offenders.

Failing to pay workers for travelling between jobs, not paying overtime, and deducting money for uniforms were the main reasons for the under-payment.

Business minister Margot James said: "There is no excuse for not paying staff the wages they're entitled to and the government will come down hard on businesses that break the rules.

“That’s why we are naming hundreds of employers who have been short-changing their workers; and to ensure there are consequences for their wallets as well as their reputation, we’ve levied millions in back pay and fines.”

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Today's list should put the frighteners on rogue employers across the country.

"Pay your staff properly or face hefty fines and get shamed in the papers.

"Minimum wage dodging has reached chronic levels in shops, salons and hospitality.

"The Government should focus their efforts to ensure that these sectors clean up their act."

The BEIS department states that employers which pay workers less than the minimum wage not only have to pay back arrears of wages to the worker at current minimum wage rates but also face financial penalties of up to 200 per cent of arrears, capped at £20,000 per worker.

In the most serious cases employers can be prosecuted.

PayeRise was approached for comment, but did not provide one.