Government reforms (2): Illegal working – penalties on the up

The Government is set to double the civil penalty for employing illegal workers from £10,000 to £20,000 from May 2014.

In addition to this, the Government is increasing the maximum fine for employers paying below the minimum wage from £5000 – £20,000. These increases show the Government’s determination to curb an illegal working trend and alert employers to take this issue seriously.

In addition to the financial penalty employers face the risk that their business’s details may be published by Immigration Enforcement as a warning to other businesses not to employ illegal workers. Furthermore, if an employer knowingly employs an illegal worker they may face a jail sentence of up to two years in addition to an unlimited fine.