Immigration Law Update Civil Penalties – Employing Illegal Workers
In line with the recent positive development of the automatic extension of Sponsor Licence periods to 10 years, we must bring to your attention a more stringent control brought in by home office for employers across the UK.
Commencing on the 13th of February 2024, penalties for illegal employment will undergo a significant increase.
The UK Government, having announced a series of changes last year, with many scheduled to take effect in 2024, with one crucial change concerning elevated fines for employers found to be engaging or employing illegal workers.
Key Points on Financial Penalties:
Effective from 13th February 2024, any employer found employing an illegal worker will be subject to a starting civil penalty of £45,000.00. This marks a threefold increase from the current starting penalty of £15,000.00 per worker (£20,000.00 per worker for repeat offenses).
The Government’s unwavering commitment to preventing illegal working in the UK is evident through this substantial penalty escalation, reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy. Employers are urged to fortify their internal processes pertaining to right-to-work checks, thereby mitigating the risks of potential sanctions.
Of particular significance for employers holding a sponsor licence is the possibility of licence revocation on grounds of illegal employment. Additional consequences may involve criminal liability.
To safeguard against these risks, employers are strongly advised to ensure rigorous right-to-work checks are conducted on all current and prospective employees before employing them. This proactive approach will enable employers to establish a statutory excuse in the event that a worker is found working for you, without proper working rights in the UK.
How KTS legal can help you?
Our dedicated business immigration team at KTS Legal is able provide the necessary assistance and training to ensure your business remains fully compliant with the evolving laws regarding illegal employment. For further inquiries or to schedule a consultation, please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 8367 0505 or by email at info@ktslegal.com.
