AN award-winning chef has defended his business after it was ‘named and shamed’ for failing to pay the national minimum wage.

Steven Smith, director of SS Pubco, based at the Freemasons Arms at Wiswell, hit back after a national report highlighted 233 employers that did not pay the required rate.

As well as ‘naming and shaming’ the employers, the Government has fined them £1.9million collectively for illegally underpaying workers.

Retail, hairdressing and hospitality businesses were among the worst offenders, according to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Mr Smith, who has earned national recognition at the Freemasons, said he was very aggrieved. SS Pubco, which trades as the Freemasons Arms, was said in the report to have failed to pay £1,166.85 to two workers.

He said: “This is something I feel very aggrieved by. It’s not the way we conduct ourselves. Sometimes it’s too east to complain.”

Mr Smith, who was born in Blackburn, said some staff members at the Freemasons had worked there for four or five years, while others had returned to work there.

He added: “We have taken steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

Three other East Lancashire employers were named in the report. with one said to have failed to pay more than £14,000 to a worker.

Islington Accommodation Services, of Great Bolton Street, Blackburn, was accused of failing to pay £14,447.82 to one employee. The firm said it disagreed with the report.

Banny’s Ltd, a fish and chips company of Vivary Way, Colne, was named as having failed to pay £2,418.48 to 47 workers. It did not comment.

Helping Hands Cleaning (Lancashire) Ltd, of Windmill Cottages, Preston New Road, Blackburn, was listed as having failed to pay £1,014.18 to one worker. A spokesman said the issue dated back two years, was down to an administrative error and had been addressed.

One of the worst offenders named was catalogue giant Argos, which failed to pay £1,461,881.78 to 12,176 workers.

Since 2013 the scheme has identified £6million in back pay for 40,000 workers, with 1,200 employers fined £4million.

Business Minister Margot James said: “This sends the clear message to employers the Government will come down hard on those who break the law.”