Companies that have been fined for employing illegal foreign workers are to be named and shamed in an attempt to crack down on people smuggling.

According to the Home Office, names of companies and directors flouting the law will be published on the UK Border Agency website.

More than 200 companies have already been fined since new legislation came into force four months ago dictating that firms could face fines of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker found to be in their employment.

By May there had already been 137 prosecutions under the new rules leading to fines totally £500,000 – almost £3,000 per firm. It is thought that over 200 companies have not been fined.

Back in February small businesses criticised the new legislation after it was announced that any business which knowingly employs an individual to work in the UK who doesn’t have the correct documentation may be prosecuted for a criminal offence, could receive a hefty fine or up to two years in prison.

February also marked the inception of a new Australian-style points system to decide which individuals will make a valid contribution to the UK economy. As well as being scored on the five-tier system, applicants now have to demonstrate their English competence by either passing an English language exam, holding a Bachelors degree taught in English or being a resident of a “majority English-speaking country”- South Africa and India are not included.

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