GOVERNMENT Business Secretary Sajid Javid was cornered yesterday over his lack of action against fast-food outlet bosses who steal tips from their employees.

Union Unite exposed last year the Pizza Express bosses who were keeping their staff’s tips and at the time other rip-off restaurant chains were named. Mr Javid launched an inquiry into the practice in August.

Unite submitted evidence to the inquiry calling for staff to be given 100 per cent of tips.

Submissions closed on November 10, but Unite said that staff were still waiting for action against employers.

They will protest tomorrow at 4pm at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills over the lack of action.

Unite regional officer Dave Turnbull said: “Sajid Javid made all the right noises in the heat of last summer’s tipping abuse scandal when he launched the investigation into the murky world of tips and service charges. 

“Yet five months after it closed in early November we are still no closer to the much-needed crackdown on dubious tipping practices. 

“Have the flush bosses of the hospitality sector been leaning on the Business Secretary? 

“This is Javid’s chance to bring justice to restaurant workers and customers alike. He needs to stop dithering and stamp out these rip-off practices once and for all. 

“Because, until the government introduces mandatory rules on tipping, unscrupulous bosses will continue to dip into tips and skim off the service charge to cover everything from breakages, till shortages and customers who walk out without paying, as well as so-called administration costs.”