Pubs and off-licences could lose their licences if they employ illegal workers

Pubs, off-licences or late night takeaways that fail to comply with immigration laws or employ illegal workers could be stripped of their licence to operate, the Immigration Minister has announced.

James Brokenshire said consideration was also being given to extending these powers to cover minicab drivers and operators.

The measures are to be included in a new Immigration Bill, which is due to be introduced in the Autumn and could see illegal migrants face a jail sentence for working in the UK.

The minister said a new offence of illegal working would allow wages to be seized as proceeds of crime. Anyone prosecuted for this new offence would face a sentence of up to six months in prison and an unlimited fine in England and Wales.

Brokenshire said: “Through our new Immigration Bill, illegal workers will face the prospect of a prison term and rogue employers could have their businesses closed, have their licences removed, or face prosecution if they continue to flout the law.”

The Home Office said new powers in the Bill would make it easier to prosecute an employer who knows, or reasonably suspects, that the person they employ has no permission to work in the UK.

“The existing evidence requirement to prove this offence will be changed in order to boost prosecutions and the current maximum sentence will be increased from two to five years,” it said.

Employers could see their business closed for up to 48 hours while they prove right to work checks have been conducted on staff.

“The worst offenders would then be placed under special measures as directed by the court, which could lead to continued closure and compliance checks,” the Home Office said.