Fines for employing Illegal workers

Many illegal worker fines are not being paid
The UK Border Agency has given 3,164 penalties to firms over the 18 months since the penalty system was introduced, but over 40%, around £6.5m, remain unpaid.  The average fine imposed was £5,000, half the maximum. Fines are imposed on a sliding scale, depending on how diligently the employer checked the employee’s background.

The offending employers are mostly restaurants and takeaways.
Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman drew attention to the figures and called for a clamp down on unscrupulous employers who exploit illegal workers.

The Home Office responded that the majority of unpaid penalties are subject to objections and pending appeals.