Fines for employers of illegal workers increased by a quarter on last year
25 March 2015
The number of fines meted out by government to companies found to be employing illegal workers has increased 24% year-on-year.
Wed, 25 Mar 2015The number of fines meted out by government to companies found to be employing illegal workers has increased 24% year-on-year.
Recruiter can reveal a Freedom of Information Act request from umbrella company Parasol found 2,262 civil penalties were issued by the Home Office to employers of illegal workers in the UK last year, up from 1,822 in 2013.
Meanwhile, the request also found the gross value of civil penalties increased by 75% in the past year to £24.65m between January and December 2014. The Home Office recouped £14.1m in 2013. The increase follows a doubling of the maximum civil penalty from £10k to £20k per illegal worker in May 2014.
Commenting on the findings, Parasol’s managing director Derek Kelly said the figures underline the growing cost to UK business of illegal working, adding the recent increase in the maximum fine is already making an impact.
“Failure to carry out the proper checks when hiring foreign nationals is a problem that persists among employers,” he added.
“More than ever, it’s vital that hirers conduct due diligence during the recruitment process.”
Recruiter can reveal a Freedom of Information Act request from umbrella company Parasol found 2,262 civil penalties were issued by the Home Office to employers of illegal workers in the UK last year, up from 1,822 in 2013.
Meanwhile, the request also found the gross value of civil penalties increased by 75% in the past year to £24.65m between January and December 2014. The Home Office recouped £14.1m in 2013. The increase follows a doubling of the maximum civil penalty from £10k to £20k per illegal worker in May 2014.
Commenting on the findings, Parasol’s managing director Derek Kelly said the figures underline the growing cost to UK business of illegal working, adding the recent increase in the maximum fine is already making an impact.
“Failure to carry out the proper checks when hiring foreign nationals is a problem that persists among employers,” he added.
“More than ever, it’s vital that hirers conduct due diligence during the recruitment process.”
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