LOW-paid workers in Yorkshire celebrated Christmas with a pay boost.
The good news followed Revenue and Customs investigations into cases where the national minimum wage was not being paid.
In seven months between April and October, enforcement teams investigated 2,409 cases, recovering more than £1.7m underpayment from companies, benefiting more than 12,100 workers. In that same period in Yorkshire and the Humber, Revenue and Customs enforcement teams investigated 215 cases, recovering £71,698 and benefiting 327 workers.
Employment Relations Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "Enforcement of the national minimum wage has brought £1.7m of festive cheer to low paid workers across the UK.
"The majority of UK employers know that decent wages mean a well-motivated workforce, which boosts competitiveness and performance.
"However a small number of companies still refuse to pay their staff the minimum wage.
"These employers should be warned that the DTI and Revenue and Customs take this very seriously.
"In 2005 we investigated wages in the hairdressing sector alongside our normal activity.
"In 2006 we will select another sector for targeted enforcement and start the first batch of criminal prosecutions against employers who fail to pay their workers what they should."
