The government’s quarterly report penalises businesses for employing staff who are not legally permitted to work in the UK.
The report names a Sutton ice cream shop and a chicken takeaway.
According to the data, which is updated every three months, the two businesses caught have been fined between £15,000 and £10,000 respectively.
This latest release, provided by the Home Office, relates to the period between July 1 and September 30, 2024, and was released on February 28.
The two businesses that have been fined are:
- H & H Gelato LTD, on 8 Beech Close in Carshalton, have been fined £10,000.
- Morley’s, on 362 High Street, has been fined £15,000.
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.
