Companies cheated workers out of £3.3.m over the past year through low wages, according to statistics released by HM Revenue and Customs.

The report also reveals the worst excuses given by unscrupulous employers for not paying the minimum wage. This includes “he’s a total waste of space”, “she only wanted £3 an hour” and “I didn’t think the workers were worth national minimum wage.”

Paymaster general Dawn Primarolo says: “By far the majority of employers are honest and scrupulous, so instances of non-payment are very much in the minority.

“But the list shows that there are still some rogue employers out there willing to flout the law, which is why our enforcement teams are hard at work to ensure that everyone is getting paid at least the minimum wage.”

The minimum wage increases on 1 October to £5.35 an hour for over-22, £4.45 an hour for 18 to 21, and £3.30 an hour for 16 to 17-year-olds.