With problems over immigration at the forefront of the news, immigration officers will be carrying out raids on cleaning firms, building sites and care homes.
The minister said that ‘rogue employers’ who give work to illegal migrants are preventing UK citizens from getting jobs.
Mr Brokenshire believes illegal migrants are also responsible for driving down wages and are getting an ‘unfair advantage.’
Immigration Enforcement teams, along with bodies such as HM Revenue & Customs, the Gangmasters’ Licensing Authority and Health and Safety Executive taking part, will be carrying out more raids on businesses believed to be employing illegal migrants.
Businesses can be expected to be fined up to £20,000 per person for hiring an illegal worker. However, businesses who knowingly employ and illegal worker could potentially be jailed.
Mr Brokenshire said: “Experience tells us that employers who are prepared to cheat employment rules are also likely to breach health and safety rules and pay insufficient tax.
“That’s why our new approach will be to use the full force of government machinery to hit them from all angles and take away the unfair advantage enjoyed by those who employ illegal migrants.”
A 2009 survey estimated that there were 618,000 irregular residents in the UK, but the figure is expected to be closer to 1.1 million.
Immigration minister promises crackdown on ‘rogue employers’
