Response from Park Plaza Hotels Ltd

Park Plaza Hotels Limited respond to BBC allegations that cleaners employed by contactor Hotelcare to work in their hotels have been paid less than the minimum wage.

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"We are very distressed and upset at these allegations about our sub contractor, Hotelcare Ltd and we take them very seriously. We operate first class hotels where service and cleanliness are a priority and it is important to us that everyone working within our hotels is happy in their jobs.

"We immediately mounted an internal investigation into all these allegations.

"Room attendants are employed by Hotelcare and Park Plaza pays Hotelcare on a per room contract. Hotelcare trains the room attendants to clean the rooms in an orderly and proper manner and supplies them with all necessary cleaning materials. Any breach of cleaning practices would be absolutely against Park Plaza policy.

"Our systems measure the number of rooms that have been cleaned and this information is passed to Hotelcare. We have been assured by Hotelcare that all room attendants are paid the minimum wage or above and we would be highly surprised if this is not the case.

"However, if our internal investigation finds any evidence to suggest otherwise, then Park Plaza would ensure that any error in payment of wages would be retrospectively corrected.

"We take great pride and care in the high standard of service and cleanliness at all of our hotels. Park Plaza County Hall recently had an unannounced visit by the AA Hotel Inspector and it received a high rating for its standard of cleanliness and service. We also continually monitor our guests' satisfaction and the hotel has consistently received top ratings in terms of its cleanliness."

Watch Newsnight's report in full on Thursday 30 July at 10.30pm on BBC Two.