Bosses using unlawful immigrants are threatened with heavy fines

Hundreds of ‘dodgy employers’ face heavy fines of up to £60,000 after at least 75 suspected illegal immigrants were detained during a week-long crackdown.

Immigration Enforcement officers visited more than 225 businesses in the past week, including car washes and nail bars.

The Home Office subsequently issued 122 civil penalties for employing illegal workers.

Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, said: ‘It is completely wrong that dodgy employers can work hand-in-glove with the smuggling gangs who risk people’s lives to bring them here illegally and push them into off-the-books employment.

‘These workers are sold complete lies by the gangs before being made to live and work in appalling conditions for a pittance. We are determined to put a stop to this, which is exactly why we have launched crackdowns such as this.

‘While this operation marks an important step forward, our commitment to tackling this issue is ongoing. We will ensure those who break the rules face the full force of the law.’

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured) slammed ‘dodgy employers’ for bringing people illegally to the UK and forcing them to work in ‘appalling conditions for a pittance’

An immigration enforcement officer in Northern Ireland uses an interpreter service to speak to a man during a raid

Officials said illegal workers were often kept in ‘squalid’ conditions, paid below the minimum wage and forced to work long hours, while their employers undercut their competitors and often did not pay their fair share of taxes.

Bas Javid, director general of Home Office Immigration Enforcement, told The Sun: ‘The level of neglect is alarming.’

Illegal immigrants have been found living in overcrowded rooms with ‘multiple mattresses crammed into spaces meant for one person’ complete with exposed wires.

Businesses found to be employing people illegally face fines of up to £45,000 per worker for the first offence and up to £60,000 per worker for repeat offenders.

Last week a famous Chinese restaurant was fined £470,000 after immigration offocials raided its premises and discovered illegal workers.

One staff member at the Royal China restaurant in Baker Street, central London was being paid an hourly rate of £6 while carrying out 66-hour weeks.

The Home Office has now launched a bid to have the Royal China restaurant stripped of permission to serve alcohol – labelling it ‘the worst licensed premises in Westminster’.

Their application has been backed by the Metropolitan Police, with a report accusing the outlet of repeatedly flouting employment laws.

It comes after Ms Cooper vowed to kick out more than 14,000 illegal immigrants in the next six months. 

Ms Cooper announced plans for Immigration Enforcement to ‘intensify’ operations over the summer shortly after coming to office in July as part of Labour’s plans to improve border security.

Bosses of the Royal China restaurant are alleged to have kept on staff who have either lacked or overstayed right-to-work visas

A police officers stands on the shore of Dungeness as RNLI staff help migrants disembark from a lifeboat after they were picked up at sea trying to cross the English Channel. Yvette Cooper has vowed to kick out more than 14,000 illegal immigrants in the next six months

Ms Cooper (pictured) announced plans for Immigration Enforcement to ‘intensify’ operations over the summer shortly after coming to office in July as part of Labour’s plans to improve border security

On Wednesday, she said she wanted to use the next six months to achieve the highest rate of removals since 2018 of people with no right to be in the UK and announced a new ‘intelligence-driven’ plan to tackle businesses employing people illegally.

Eddy Montgomery, director of enforcement, compliance and crime at Immigration Enforcement, said: ‘This week’s operation shows how dedicated the Home Office is to protecting vulnerable people and holding employers accountable.

‘We’re dedicated to stopping exploitation by criminal gangs, ensuring vulnerable people receive the correct support and make sure that those who break the law face serious consequences.

‘I’m incredibly proud of our teams across the country for their hard work and teamwork in preparing for and conducting this national operation.’