Increased penalties for those employing illegal immigrants

The Home Office has announced a new policy, which will take effect in February of 2008, which will increase fines and introduce custodial sentences for employers who hire immigrants who do not have the legal right to work in the UK.

Under the new guidelines, employers who inadvertently hire immigrants who do not have the legal right to work could face a maximum penalty of £10,000 for each illegal worker, doubling the current figure of £5,000.

Employers found to have consciously hired immigrants who do not have the legal right to work could face an unlimited fine and a prison sentence.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says: "The new civil penalties are a more effective way of dealing with employers who use slipshod or exploitative recruitment methods,".

She also added: "Together with the introduction of compulsory identity cards for foreign nationals next year, there can be no excuse for not checking the identity of those applying for jobs,".

ETCi make sure that every employee we provide is carefully vetted and that we keep up to date with all Home Office guidelines so you can be sure that all our applicants will be working legally with you. However, it is worth noting that you, the employer, should also be taking copies of all their right to work documents for your records.