Raids on restaurants, builders and other firms illegally employing migrants to be increased

LONDON Sept 17: Raids on restaurants, building firms and other companies illegally employing immigrants in the UK are to be increased as part of the plan to stop the “small boats” crisis, says Yvette Cooper.

The Home Secretary also stressed that more covert operations would be launched against crime gangs behind the cross-Channel crossings.

Ms Cooper stressed that migrants in the UK illegally could not claim benefits.

But she added: “We do think that there needs to be much stronger action and enforcement against illegal working, including against employers who are exploiting people and making profits out of migration.

“That is why this summer we launched a major new programme to increase action against illegal working, increasing raids, increasing enforcement,” she added, speaking on BBC radio.

“That has led to an increase in fines…against employers, stronger action being taken against employers.

“We want to continue upgrading that.”

The Home Office warns bosses that they could be jailed for five years and be hit with an unlimited fine if they are found guilty of employing someone who they knew or had “reasonable cause to believe” did not have the right to work in the UK.

This could include if the employer had any reason to believe that their workers:

Did not have leave (permission) to enter or remain in the UK
Their leave had expired
They were not allowed to do certain types of work
Their papers were incorrect or false

Firms can also be given a civil penalty fine of up to £60,000 for each illegal worker they employ if they fail to do proper checks on them to ascertain if they have the right to work in the UK.