A Conwy based company has been “named and shamed” by the Government for underpaying its workers.

Seashells Limited, which operates across Denbighshire, Conwy and Gwynedd, provides

home care services for older people and those with learning difficulties, either in their own homes, or in supported housing. Its main office is in Wynnstay Road Colwyn Bay.

It has had to pay 68 staff a total of £43,236 for underpayments between October 2013 and April 2017. Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:“Every worker is entitled to at least the national minimum or living wage and the Government will ensure they get it. That is why we have named and shamed employers who failed to pay the legal minimum.”

The announcement was part of a nationwide crackdown on companies which have been identified for paying less than the minimum wage. In addition to recovering back pay the Government can also fine employers.

A spokesman for Seashells Limited said: “At the time of the inspection, we were paying well above the National Minimum Wage (NMW). We understood, wrongly, this enhanced hourly rate was sufficient to cover travel time. We were unaware of a rule that only the lowest hourly rate of pay is used to calculate NMW.

“Until then, we were paying split rates: a weekday rate above the NMW; an additional £1 per hour at weekend; and double time for bank holidays. We apologised and reimbursed staff fully, within two weeks of being notified of the error. We put into place new systems to ensure it can’t happen again, and Seashells now pays a single rate of £9.26 per hour. All affected staff acknowledged the company had made a genuine error and have remained in the employment of Seashells. We highly value all of our staff. The Government has stated it is not going to prosecute Seashells Limited.”