Illegal working causes damaging social and economic problems for the UK. It undercuts businesses that operate within the law, undermines British workers and exploits migrant workers.
According to the latest statement issued by the UK Border Agency, those employers who employ illegal workers will face “robust action” and may be confronted by a civil penalty of up to GB pound 10,000 for each illegal worker.
The Government works with employers to ensure that they take their responsibility to avoid employing illegal workers seriously. All employers have a duty to check that all new employees are entitled to work in the UK and, to this end, the UK Border Agency publishes guidance to help them do just that.
Now, the Government body will publish quarterly reports to highlight the:
- number of civil penalties issued
- number of illegal workers found
- value of the penalties broken down by geographical regions
The UK Border Agency will also publish a quarterly report naming employers who have:
- not paid or are not making regular payments for a penalty 28 days after they have exhausted their objection and/or appeal rights
- been served with a second or subsequent penalty once they have exhausted their objection and/or appeal rights regardless of whether any payment has been made
Reference documents for corporate partners and stakeholders
Quarterly reports will consider all employers whose appeals rights were exhausted within the period reported on.
A penalty will be counted as a second or subsequent penalty if it was issued within three years of a previous penalty or warning letter.
The UK Border Agency commented: “The reports will provide a reference tool for the public as well as for corporate partners and other stakeholders.”
The body will continue to publish details of its operations aimed at tackling illegal working and immigration abuse on a case-by-case basis.