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  • Illegal working civil penalties set to triple from 2024

    08 August 2023

    From the start of 2024, the maximum civil penalty for employing an illegal worker will be raised from £20,000 to £60,000. The Home Office also intends to consult on strengthening sponsor compliance action where illegal working is found. Employers should act now to bolster their right to work checking processes to minimise the risk of incurring penalties and being subject to sponsor compliance action.

  • How to deal with a civil penalty notice for illegal working

    03 July 2023

    The Home Office is currently focusing on identifying and penalising illegal working. Where illegal working is found, an employer may be liable to pay civil penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker, and may also suffer adverse consequences for their business. It is therefore beneficial for employers to understand how to deal most effectively with a civil penalty if received.

  • How to deal with a right to work information request from the Home Office

    04 May 2023

    The Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement team can issue an Information Request to any employer where employment of an illegal worker is suspected. This is a preliminary step to a potential civil penalty notice being issued, which can be up to £20,000 per illegal worker. It is important to handle these requests proactively because an employer who responds accurately and promptly may receive a reduced penalty or avoid it completely.

  • What’s happening in immigration law in 2023?

    05 January 2023

    Employers may receive mixed messages on immigration in 2023 as the Government grapples with addressing skills shortages while aiming to bring down net migration. As the recession bites, the Home Office may step up compliance activities for sponsors and on right to work.

  • Preventing illegal working: employers able to rely on online right to work checks from 28 January 2019

    14 December 2018

    In some circumstances employers will be able to use the Home Office Right to Work Checking Service available on GOV.UK from 28 January 2019 to obtain a statutory excuse against payment of a civil penalty for employing an illegal worker, without having also to check the individual’s physical documents.

  • GDPR incoming! Some challenges from an immigration perspective

    24 May 2018

    GDPR. Four letters currently dominating the thoughts of every company in Europe. The General Data Protection Regulation comes into force tomorrow, Friday 25 May 2018.

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