Employers Face Severe Penalties for Employing Illegal Migrants

Increased Fines for Employers 

Fines have more than tripled for employers who knowingly hire people who do not have the right to work in the UK. The fines are now as follows:

• Fine for first breach – £45,000
• Fine for repeated breaches – £60,000

The changes established in 2024 also mean landlords face significant penalties for renting properties to illegal migrants.

From the beginning of 2024, employers saw fines for a first breach increase from £15,000 to £45,000, while repeated breaches attract a penalty of £60,000 compared to the previous £20,000.

Increased Penalties for Landlords Failing to Conduct Checks

Landlords should be aware of the increase in fines if they fail to correctly check the immigration status of their tenants.

• Fine for first breach – £10,000 per occupier & £5000 per lodger
• Fine for repeated breaches – £20,000 per occupier and £10,000 per lodger

The changes mean a rise from £80 per lodger and £1,000 per occupier to £5,000 per lodger and £10,000 per occupier for a first breach.

If found guilty of ongoing breaches, then property owners could be forced to pay £10,000 per lodger and £20,000 per occupier, significantly higher than the current levels of £500 and £3,000.

Employers have “no excuse”

Minister for Immigration, Robert Jenrick, explained that anyone employing overseas workers must ensure they are following all the legal requirements.

He added: “There is no excuse for not conducting the appropriate checks and those in breach will now face significantly tougher penalties.”

All employers must ensure prospective employees have the right to work in the UK before they commence work. These checks must be conducted for all workers, regardless of their country of origin.