The government is to investigate evidence gathered by the BBC that shows that migrant workers are being trafficked to, and exploited, in the UK.

The investigation claimed that a Polish company called ITC trafficked staff into the UK and passed them on to Hull-based Focus Staff. This agency paid the workers under the national minimum wage and charged them £50 a week for overcrowded accommodation.

Focus Staff’s managing director Michael Dickenson said everything he does is legal, but declined to comment further when approached by the BBC on last night programme.

Chairman of the Gangmasters Licencing Authority (GLA), Paul Whitehouse (pictured), says: “We look forward to receiving this evidence.  It should be a valuable supplement to our own investigation into Focus Staff and the related businesses and individuals involved.

“The GLA is unable to go into the specifics of this case, but can confirm that an investigation into the activities of this labour provider commenced in early 2007.

“We have completed our investigation and we expect a decision on its results shortly.”

Tom Hadley the REC’s director of external relations, adds: "Law-abiding recruitment agencies and recruitment professionals in all sectors of the UK economy are appalled at the examples of worker exploitation as alleged by the BBC investigation.

“It is crucial that the GLA is able to address the activities of illegal gangmasters and we welcome the enhanced co-operation between the GLA and other bodies such as the DTI's Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate and the National Minimum Wage Inspectorate”.