Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 March 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 14 March 2008. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 March 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigrants: Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government plan to take to stop employers employing illegal immigrants.

Answer: [holding answer 14 March 2008]: The Border and Immigration Agency is increasing enforcement activity against illegal working in general. Steps have been taken to strengthen the law preventing employers from using illegal migrant workers. The law in this area applies to employers or agencies in all sectors of the economy.The Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 introduced a system of civil penalties for careless employers and a criminal offence of knowingly employing illegal workers. This came into force on 29 February 2008.The maximum level of civil penalty is £10,000 and the criminal offence of knowingly employing an illegal migrant will attract a prison term of up to two years as well as an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment.

Secondary information