Berkshire businesses fined over illegal workers
The Gun on Andover Road and AR Car Cleaning on Craven Road were both fined.
Two businesses in West Berkshire have been fined for employing illegal migrants.
And one of them, a popular Newbury curry outlet, The Gun, has had its licence application to West Berkshire Council called in by the Home Office.
“We have grounds to believe the license holder has failed to meet the licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder, as illegal working has been identified at this premises,” it said.
The Gun on Andover Road in Newbury was fined £90,000 last year by the Home Office.
AR Car Cleaning on Craven Road got a £20,000 fine.
The Home Office (Immigration Enforcement) can object to the grant of a licence or request a review of an existing licence where there is concern that a licence is prejudicial to the prevention of immigration crime – including illegal working.
Section 36 and Schedule 4 of the Immigration Act 2016 amended the 2003 Act to introduce immigration safeguards in respect of licensing applications made in England and Wales on or after April 6, 2017.
The intention, says the Home Office, is to prevent illegal working in premises licensed for the sale of alcohol or late-night refreshment.
The Home Secretary (in practice Home Office (Immigration Enforcement)) was added to the list of Responsible Authorities (RA) in the licensing regime, which requires Home Office (Immigration Enforcement) to receive premises licence applications.
The Gun licence applicant, Trust Inns, now has to respond to the Home Office review.