A HARIDRESSER has responded at being ‘named and shamed’ by Business Secretary Vince Cable - insisting she unintentionally failed to pay a worker the correct minimum wage.

Anne Henderson of Chambers Hairdressers in Middlesbrough is one of five UK employers fined for the offence.

“What I did was completely unintentional but now I’m being slated and I’ve received a crank phone call," she told The Northern Echo.

The Government warned that employers will face higher penalties of up to £20,000 from March 7.

Mr Cable said: “Paying less than the minimum wage is illegal. If employers break the law they need to know that they will face tough consequences.”

“Any worker who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it. It’s not only fair, it’s the law. If anyone suspects they are not being paid the wage they are legally entitled to they should call the Pay and Work Rights helpline.”

The North TUC Regional Secretary added: “As well as being publicly named and shamed, employers who fail to pay their workers the National Minimum Wage will face higher financial penalties of up to £20,000.

"This should provide a strong disincentive to other rogue companies contemplating breaking the law.”