Government clamps down on illegal staff
NEW powers to prevent illegal working in premises selling alcohol or providing late night refreshment have come into force in Halton.
Under the measures brought in as part of the Immigration Act 2016, immigration checks will be part of the process for applying for a licence.
A premises or personal licence will now not be issued to anyone in Runcorn and Widnes who does not have permission to be or work in the UK.
A Home Office spokesman said being granted a licence and continuing to hold it will also be reliant on complying with the UK’s immigration laws.
Additionally, the Home Office will be consulted in the same way as the police before a licence is granted.
If a business has any immigration offences and civil penalties, these will be considered as part of the application and as a ground for making a formal request to a licensing authority for a licence to be reviewed.
Immigration officers will also receive the same powers as licensing ● enforcement and the police to enter a premises being used to sell alcohol or late night refreshment in order to investigate offences.
The spokesman said it will enable joint enforcement operations with licensing enforcement and allow immigration officers to enter licensed premises without a warrant where there is intelligence of illegal working taking place.
Immigration minister Robert Goodwill said: “Illegal working cheats the taxpayer, has a negative impact on the wages of lawful workers and allows rogue employers to undercut legitimate businesses.
“These new measures will allow us to work more effectively with licensing authorities and the police to prevent illegal working in a high risk sector and take the action needed against businesses flouting immigration laws.”
About 60% of all civil penalties for illegal working served in the UK in the year to February 2017 were issued in the retail, hotel, restaurant and leisure industry sectors, many of which hold licences.
The spokesman added: “The Home Office continues to work with the hospitality sector, amongst others, to provide support and guidance on how to carry out right to work checks and to raise awareness of the risks of illegal working.”