The government’s quarterly report penalises businesses for employing staff who are not legally permitted to work in the UK.
The report names a closed Lebanese grill, a café, a butcher’s shop, and a butcher and fishmonger.
According to the data, which is updated every three months, the four businesses caught have been fined a combined total of £210,000.
This latest release, provided by the Home Office, covers the period from January 1 to March 31, 2025, and was released on August 29.
The four businesses that have been fined are:
Chef’s Treat, of 161 Lewisham High Street, has been fined £45,000.
Aloosh Lebanese Charcoal Grill, of 397 New Cross Road, has been fined £40,000.
Butcher PFC Catford, of 5-6 Station Buildings on Catford Road, has been fined £80,000.
Top Butcher and Fish, of 48-50 Deptford High Street, has been fined £45,000.
Offenders can be sent to jail for five years or handed an unlimited fine if they are found guilty of employing someone who they knew or had ‘reasonable cause to believe’ did not have the right to work in the UK.
This includes, for example, if they had any reason to believe a person:
- Did not have permission to enter or remain in the UK
- Had their leave had expired
- Were not allowed to do certain types of work
- Had incorrect or false papers
Businesses may face penalties for employing individuals who do not have the right to work if they fail to carry out the necessary checks.
To report a crime anonymously, contact the Immigration Enforcement hotline at 0300 123 7000.
