Sanctions against employing illegal workers start to take effect

British companies are already feeling the effect of tougher sanctions against employing illegal foreign workers following the introduction of the Points Based System (PBS) for controlling immigration.

Tier 1 of the PBS, which covers highly skilled migrants, was introduced in February this year. Since then 137 businesses have been issued with Notices of Potential Liability amounting to almost half a million pounds. There were only 11 successful prosecutions throughout the whole of last year under the previous system.

The sudden increase illustrates the Government’s determination to tackle the problem of illegal workers. Liam Byrne, the Border and Immigration Minister, said: "Illegal jobs are the root cause of illegal immigration, which is why I'm determined to shut it down. Frontline officers have new powers to levy on-the-spot fines.

"With the introduction of compulsory identity cards for foreign nationals later in the year, there can be no excuse for not checking the identity of those applying for jobs."

Meanwhile, the Home Office has announced the strict criteria to be placed on hiring the next group of migrants affected by the PBS – the skilled workers who come under Tier 2. Employers will have to be able to show that they cannot find a resident worker with equivalent skills and that the vacancy has been advertised in the UK.

A statement issued by the Home Office says: “To qualify, skilled foreign nationals will have to earn a certain number of points before being allowed to work in Britain. These points are awarded only if a person can prove they will be doing skilled work, speak a good standard of English, and are earning more than £24,000, or have a decent qualification. Employers will need a licence from the UK Border Agency to offer jobs to skilled workers."

Tier 2 will come into effect this autumn at the same time as Tier 5 which affects temporary workers.