The Government has announced that fines will significantly increase for businesses and landlords who are knowingly supporting illegal migrants from next year, in a bid to reduce small boat crossings.
The Home Office argues that illegal work and renting are “significant pull factors” fuelling illegal migration and Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said the hike will help to deter people from making the crossing.
The hikes come into effect at the start of 2024 and mean fines for bosses employing illegal workers will rise from £15,000 for the first offence to £45,000. Fines for repeat offenders will also triple from their 2014 rate of £20,000 to £60,000.
Landlords renting out their properties to illegal migrants will see penalties increased to £5,000 per lodger and £10,000 per occupier, up from £80 and £1,000. Further breaches could incur penalties of up to £10,000 per lodger and a maximum of £20,000 per occupier, up from £500 and £3,000 respectively.
Mr Jenrick said in a statement: “Unscrupulous landlords and employers who allow illegal working and renting enable the business model of the evil people smugglers to continue. There is no excuse for not conducting the appropriate checks and those in breach will now face significantly tougher penalties.”
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Speaking about the increased fines, Shadow Immigration Minister, Stephen Kinnock, said: “Employers who are exploiting and illegally employing migrant workers should face the full force of the law, but the reality is that, under the Conservatives, the number of penalties issued to firms employing workers illegally has fallen by two-thirds since 2016, arrests have dropped, and illegal working visits are down by over 1,000 on 2019.
“Strengthening penalties must be combined with stronger enforcement action if the government is serious about tackling the problems.”
While the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, Alistair Carmichael, said: “Every day the country is subjected to another pointless announcement on the asylum system which will make no meaningful difference. A bolder fix is required by ministers, yet they are too arrogant to admit it.”
More than 15,000 migrants crossed the Channel by small boat this year with several paying smugglers thousands to make the journey.
Turkey has been identified as a hub for the manufacturing of small boat vessels used by smuggling gangs. London and Ankara have announced a deal to work together to dismantle such groups.
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Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “As I’ve made clear, we must do everything we can to smash the people smuggling gangs and stop the boats. Our partnership with Turkey, a close friend and ally, will enable our law enforcement agencies to work together on this international problem and tackle the small boat supply chain.”
At least 41 people were killed after a migrant vessel sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean, the Ansa news agency reported on Wednesday.
More than 1,800 people have died this year making the crossing from North Africa to Europe.
So what do YOU think? Will tougher fines stop the people smugglers’ trade? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comment section below.
