SSE has been named as one of 70 companies in the UK that failed to pay workers the minimum wage.

It is thought the energy firm, based in Perth, failed to pay £2,233.95 to five of its workers.

In a statement, SSE confirmed the five members of staff had been paid less than the national minimum wage, describing it as a "regrettable administrative error".

The staff involved had signed up to a car-leasing scheme, it is understood.

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The company said: "Due to a regrettable administrative error, five SSE employees were paid less than the national minimum wage as a result of a voluntary salary sacrifice scheme which allows staff to lease a car at a competitive rate.

"SSE co-operated fully with HMRC as it investigated the payments, and settled the arrears at the earliest possible opportunity. We have also introduced additional safeguards which will prevent this happening in the future."

SSE added that it regretted the breach, but due to "early identification... none of the employees was disadvantaged for long."

Currently, the adult rate for the minimum wage is £6.50 per hour, for those over the age of 21.

(JP/CD)