The government’s latest quarterly report, which tracks enforcement action against illegal working, was last updated on October 13 and covers the period from January 1 to March 31.
The list revealed that T & E Catering Ltd, based at 161 Lewisham High Street, was fined £45,000.
Aloosh Grill Ltd, located at 397 New Cross Road, received a £40,000 penalty, while Glory Supermarket Ltd, at 1 Ringstead Road, was fined £45,000.
Catford Food Centre Ltd, on Catford Road, was handed an £80,000 fine, and Top Butcher & Fresh Fish Ltd, at 48–50 Deptford High Street, was also fined £80,000.
Combined, the five businesses faced a total of £290,000 in penalties.
These fines are part of a wider effort by the government to ensure that businesses comply with immigration laws and only employ workers who have the right to work in the UK.
Employers can face severe consequences if they knowingly hire someone without the legal right to work, including up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine.
This applies in cases where employers knew, or had reasonable cause to believe, that a worker did not have permission to enter or remain in the UK, had expired leave, was not authorised to carry out certain types of work, or provided false or incorrect documents.
Businesses are also liable if they fail to carry out the required right-to-work checks before employing staff.
The fines handed to these Lewisham businesses highlight the importance of compliance with employment laws and serve as a warning to other companies in the area.
The government encourages members of the public to report suspected illegal working, which can be done anonymously through the Immigration Enforcement hotline on 0300 123 7000.
By exposing and penalising employers who break the law, the Home Office aims to protect workers’ rights, maintain fair competition, and ensure that legal employment practices are followed across the UK.
