Illegal worker fines increase 50%

The number of fines issued shows a 50% increase in comparison to the previous 12 months, during which 1,216 penalties were enforced. The gross value of penalties issued in 2012 was £10,775,500, where as in 2013 the amount collected by the Home Office was £14,107,750 (an increase of 31%).

Existing measures to combat illegal working were introduced by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and came into play for those employed on or after 29th February 2008. Employers can face a civil penalty of up to £10,000 for every illegal worker found under the current legislation.

A proposed immigration bill to strengthen and simplify the civil penalty scheme was put forward in the summer of 2013. As well as increasing the maximum civil penalty from £10,000 to £20,000.