We are determined to root out bad bosses and eradicate pockets of poverty pay

Alan Johnson Employment relations minister

A further �700,000 has been recovered since April, according to figures from by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Employment Relations Minister Alan Johnson said: "I am delighted that the number of complaints is falling, but the government will not rest on its laurels.

"We are determined to root out bad bosses and eradicate pockets of poverty pay and ensure that those who are entitled to the minimum wage are not denied fair pay for their work."

Recent cases included a 19-year-old market trader from Newcastle-upon-Tyne paid wage arrears of �3,000 and a pensioner from Perth who received �700 after intervention by inspectors.

Enforcement improvement

In other cases, a group of Asian workers in London won �100,000, homeworkers on the south coast won �140,000 and workers at a brewing company in the north west received �80,000.

David Coats, head of economic and social affairs at the TUC, said: "We are working closely with the government to improve enforcement.

Cowboy employers that don't pay the minimum wage are not doing anyone any favours

Brian Cridland CBI

"Together we are making good progress but we estimate about 170,000 people are still being paid less than the minimum wage."

The CBI said that the tough enforcement of the minimum wage was good for business.

Deputy director general Brian Cridland said: "Cowboy employers that don't pay the minimum wage are not doing anyone any favours.

"They undercut the vast majority of companies which are of course obeying the law. That's why tough enforcement of the minimum wage is good for business."

He added there would always be some employers working outside the normal business world which the government would be unable to reach.