Home Office ramps up illegal working enforcement activity
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has revealed a record-breaking January for illegal working enforcement activity, as the Home Office continues to crackdown on abuse of the immigration system.
Under its Plan for Change, the government is delivering action to restore order to the UK immigration system and the surge in enforcement activity to crack down on illegal working is a vital cog in the government’s wider machine to identify, disrupt and tackle irregular migration across the country.
Following a drive from the government to have more deployable enforcement staff, a renewed crackdown last month saw the highest January in over half a decade for enforcement activity.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken.
Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel in a small boat, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people, the immigration system and our economy.
That’s why, as part of our Plan for Change, we are boosting enforcement to record levels alongside tough new legislation to smash the criminal gangs that undermine our border security and who have been getting away with it for far too long.”
Illegal working enforcement in numbers
Throughout January alone, Immigration Enforcement teams descended on 828 premises, including nail bars, convenience stores, restaurants and car washes, marking a 48% rise compared to the previous January. Arrests also surged to 609, demonstrating a 73% increase from just 352 the previous year.
More broadly, between 5 July last year and 31 January, both illegal working visits and arrests have soared by around 38% compared to the same 12 months prior. During the same period, the Home Office issued a total of 1,090 civil penalty notices. Employers could face a fine of up to £60,000 per worker if found liable.
Reminder for employers to remain compliant
The latest crackdown serves as another reminder for employers that the Home Office takes compliance extremely seriously and will not hesitate to take action against employers who flout the immigration rules.
Employers are reminded that carrying out compliant right to work checks is an essential part of their legal obligations under the UK Immigration Rules. All employers in the UK have a responsibility to prevent illegal working. Failure to carry out the correct right to work checks can have serious consequences for your business, so it is essential to understand your legal responsibilities in this area.
Those employers who hold a Home Office sponsor licence must also ensure they understand and abide by their sponsorship duties when managing a migrant workforce.
Smith Stone Walters can advise your business on all aspects of immigration and sponsorship compliance. To learn more about our business immigration services, please contact us today.
