Hi everybody --
I thought this might be interesting information.
the AdminNew measures to prevent illegal working take effect on 29 February 2008 under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.
Under the Act, employers who negligently hire illegal workers could face a maximum fine of £10,000 for each illegal worker found at a business. Employers will be liable to a penalty regardless of whether or not they are aware that they are illegally employing someone who does not have permission to work in the UK. If employers are found to have knowingly hired illegal workers they could incur an unlimited fine and/or face 2 years in prison.
The Act also sets out what an employer must do in order to have a successful defence, known as a "statutory excuse" to a civil penalty. This can be done by checking and copying certain original documents and storing them securely. Employers should also undertake basic visual checks to ensure that the document(s) relate to the applicant by comparing any photographs in the document(s) and dates of birth against the appearance amd apparent age of the applicant.
The Border and Immigration Agency undertakes regular enforcement operations against illegal working throughout the UK. In 2006 alone, the BIA carried out over 5,200 illegal working operations and removed more than 22,000 people from the UK.