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Illegal immigration: Minister pledges crackdown on 'rogue employers' Illegal immigration: Minister pledges crackdown on 'rogue employers'
(about 1 hour later)
"Rogue employers" who give jobs to illegal migrants will be hit with "the full force of government machinery", ministers have warned. Businesses that employ illegal workers will be hit with "the full force of government machinery", immigration minister James Brokenshire has warned.
Businesses who employ illegal workers are denying work to UK citizens and helping drive down wages, immigration minister James Brokenshire said. Announcing a "new approach" to "rogue employers" who give work to illegal migrants, he said they were denying UK citizens jobs and driving down wages.
Immigration officers are understood to be preparing to mount a wave of raids this autumn targeting certain sectors. Immigration officers are understood to be preparing a wave of raids this autumn targeting certain sectors.
The Times says cleaning firms, building sites and care homes will be targeted.The Times says cleaning firms, building sites and care homes will be targeted.
Black economy 'Unfair advantage'
"Experience tells us that employers who are prepared to cheat employment rules are also likely to breach health and safety rules and pay insufficient tax," said Mr Brokenshire. BBC political correspondent Robin Brant said ministers were trying to "enhance" practical measures to combat illegal workers, rather than bring in new measures.
The government was trying to send a message to voters that it was "trying to do all it can" to tackle issues around illegal immigrants, he added.
Mr Brokenshire said: "Experience tells us that employers who are prepared to cheat employment rules are also likely to breach health and safety rules and pay insufficient tax.
"That's why our new approach will be to use the full force of government machinery to hit them from all angles and take away the unfair advantage enjoyed by those who employ illegal migrants.""That's why our new approach will be to use the full force of government machinery to hit them from all angles and take away the unfair advantage enjoyed by those who employ illegal migrants."
A 2009 study carried out for London Mayor Boris Johnson estimated that the UK had 618,000 "irregular" residents, with London accounting for about 70% of them. The campaign group Migration Watch says a figure of 1.1 million is "more plausible". A 2009 study carried out for London Mayor Boris Johnson estimated that the UK had 618,000 "irregular" residents, with London accounting for about 70%. The campaign group Migration Watch says a figure of 1.1 million is "more plausible".
The size of black economies is hard to gauge, but the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimated in 2011 that the use of illegal immigrants represented 1% of total employment in the UK. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimated in 2011 that the use of illegal immigrants represented 1% of total employment in the UK.
In 2013, a BBC investigation found that two-thirds of fines imposed on employers of illegal workers over a five year period had been uncollected in the past five years. In 2013, a BBC investigation found two-thirds of fines imposed on employers of illegal workers over a five-year period had been uncollected in the past five years.
Mr Brokenshire's comments followed a call from Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond for EU laws to be , overhauled to ensure people coming from Africa to Europe could be returned to their home country. 'Standard of living'
He said the continent would not be able to "preserve its standard of living and social infrastructure", if it has to absorb "millions" of migrants from Africa. Last week, it was announced landlords in England would be expected to evict tenants who lose the right to live in the UK, or potentially face prison.
Mr Hammond's comments were condemned as "mean-spirited" and "shameful" by Amnesty International while shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn accused Mr Hammond of "scaremongering".
Steve Symonds of Amnesty International UK said the government had a duty to protect people fleeing conflicts and brutal regimes and countries such as Lebanon, Ethiopia and Chad hosted far more refugees than European countries.
Last week, it was announced that landlords in England would be expected to evict tenants who lose the right to live in the UK, or potentially face prison.
Under the plans, which are to be included in the upcoming Immigration Bill, landlords will also be required to check a migrant's status in advance of agreeing a lease.Under the plans, which are to be included in the upcoming Immigration Bill, landlords will also be required to check a migrant's status in advance of agreeing a lease.
Mr Brokenshire's comments follow a call from Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond for EU laws to be overhauled to ensure people coming from Africa to Europe could be returned to their home country.
He said Europe would not be able to "preserve its standard of living and social infrastructure" if it has to absorb "millions" of migrants from Africa.
Mr Hammond's comments were condemned as "mean-spirited" and "shameful" by Amnesty International, while shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn accused Mr Hammond of "scaremongering".
Steve Symonds, of Amnesty International UK, said the government had a duty to protect people fleeing from conflicts and brutal regimes, saying countries such as Lebanon, Ethiopia and Chad hosted far more refugees than European countries.
Are you an employer or business owner affected by the issues raised in this story? You can share your comments by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you an employer or business owner affected by the issues raised in this story? You can share your comments by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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