UK Government to Focus on Business Immigration Non-Compliance

Planned Changes to the Employment Rights Bill

Following the latest migration figures, the government confirmed new changes to prevent visa abuse and prevent exploitation.

Amendments to the Employment Rights Bill will see the introduction of a minimum two-year ban for those businesses who repeatedly break visa rules or do not follow key employment law, such as paying minimum wage to workers.

To help ensure widespread enforcement it is likely there will be increased sharing of information between key bodies such as the Department of Work and Pensions, the Home Office and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

For those businesses found in breach of minor visa infringements, there will be an increase in the length of action plans issued from three months to 12 months to ensure sustained compliance before being allowed to sponsor new workers.

There will also be tighter rules to prevent the passing on of the costs of employing overseas staff to employees, which could lead to exploitation of workers. This has been a particular problem in recent years within the health and social care sector.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP, explained: “Worker exploitation is completely unacceptable.

“Shamefully, these practices have been seen particularly in our care sector, where workers coming to the UK to support our health and social care service have all too often found themselves plunged into unjustifiable insecurity and debt. This can, and must, end.”

Increase in Targeted Immigration Enforcement

The latest figures show an increase in visits to businesses who are suspected of employing illegal workers. Between January and October in 2024, more than 6,600 visits were made – a 22 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

There has also been a rise in employers within the care sector having their sponsor licences removed. Since July 2022, around 450 licenses have been revoked in an attempt to ensure immigration and employment law compliance.

How Can an IAS Immigration Lawyer Help?

While the government’s new actions are mainly aimed at those employers who are breaching their duties, it is still essential to ensure you are following the latest rules regarding hiring workers from overseas.

In some cases, a genuine or unintentional mistake could still lead to a breach and legal action. Therefore, you should consider reaching out to an experienced team of immigration lawyers to provide expert and up-to-date advice.

At IAS, we can help conduct a mock audit to ensure you are fully compliant with your responsibilities as an employer and that your record-keeping is robust.

Contact us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244 to find out more about our corporate services and how we can help your business.