No one should be able to use poverty wages to undercut their competitors

Patricia Hewitt Trade and Industry Secretary

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has published the updated figures before Christmas to alert young, temporary workers to their rights.

The minimum wage went up in October to �4.10 an hour for adults over 22 and �3.50 for 18 to 21 year olds.

An increase in the number of complaints to a special hotline has helped recover unpaid wages to low paid workers, said the DTI.

A total of �6.3 million has now been recovered since the minimum wage was introduced in 1999.

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "Cracking down on the minority of unscrupulous employers is good for business as it hits those who give decent employers a bad name.

"No one should be able to use poverty wages to undercut their competitors and we will root out those who try to do so, especially if they think they can get away with it over the Christmas holidays when more people take temporary jobs."

The TUC said it would work with the government to stop "Scrooge" bosses and end exploitation.

General secretary John Monks said: "Low paid workers can be even more vulnerable around Christmas.

"With money tight and extra pressure to work extended hours, young, casual and student workers are especially in need of this protection."