MOST low-paid workers in the South East would be unaware if they were being illegally denied the national minimum wage, it has been revealed.

HMRC, which investigates national minimum and living wage breaches, revealed a survey of low-paid workers across the region found most were unaware of the rules and how their employer could be underpaying them.

Jennie Granger, director general for customer compliance at HMRC, said: “Almost all workers must be paid at least national minimum wage. It’s the law and there are no exceptions.

“We are determined to ensure working people in the South East understand their rights so they know what they should get. We also want them to know where they can go to report it if they are missing out on pay– if you think you are getting ripped off by your employer, tell us. Last year we helped over 58,000 workers get more than £10m in underpaid wage arrears, putting money back in their pockets.”

Business minister Margot James said: “There are no excuses for underpaying staff what they are legally entitled to. While most employers get it right, there are still a small number who fail to play by the rules.”

The survey of workers earning less than £15,000 in the South East revealed:

* 56 per cent didn’t know tips cannot be used to take an employee’s wages up to the minimum;

* 61% didn’t know staff earning the minimum wage must be paid for tasks or checks done before or after they officially start work;

* 61% didn’t know an employer can’t charge someone receiving minimum wage for a uniform;

* 53% thought workers could agree to be paid less than the minimum wage;

* 57% believed apprentices weren’t entitled to the national minimum wage;

* 71% didn’t know staff on minimum wage must be paid for time spent travelling between assignments;

* 44% did not know anyone paid less than the minimum wage can legally claim back their money.