East London businesses fined for employing illegal workers

A total of 20 businesses in the east of the capital have been handed fines by the UK government after they were found to be employing workers against the law from October 1 to December 31 last year.

The latest data was released on June 18 and features four companies based in Havering.

Masvd Construction in London Road, Romford was fined £45,000 whilst Yogi News and Off License in Mungo Park Road, Rainham was fined £40,000.

Hornchurch based firms White Rose Restaurant in Station Lane and Red Contractors in High Street were also in the list, fined £10,000 and £45,000 respectively.

Jay Food and Wine in Broad Street, Dagenham was handed a £40,000 penalty - the only business in the list located in Barking and Dagenham.

In Redbridge, six businesses were fined, including Star Fruit & Veg in High Road, HFC Express - also in High Road, and Quality Appliances in Green Lane - all of which were made to pay £40,000.

A & TK9 Services Limited in Uphall Road was handed a £45,000 fine whilst Nawal Pure Mithai in High Street had to pay £80,000.

M A Builders London Ltd, registered in New North Road, was ordered to pay £120,000 - the joint second highest total on the list.

Thattukada Restaurant in Newham's High Street North was fined £31,000.

Seven businesses in Tower Hamlets were given penalties including Lahore One Restaurant in Commercial Road which was fined £135,000 - the highest financial punishment in the newest data set.

Mr Wong's Wok and Box in Mile End Road was also handed a £120,000 fine and both Iroiro Ltd in Alie Street and Hello Bubbles in Market Way were ordered to pay £45,000 each.

Two other Tower Hamlets companies were handed £40,000 fines - Khan's Clothing in Vesey Path and S.T. Manage Limited in Greatorex Street whilst a £15,000 penalty was served to TGF Pizza in Midlothian Road.

In Waltham Forest, QWH Drylining Ltd in The Avenue had to pay a £40,000 fine.

These penalties form part of the government's broader crackdown to make sure businesses follow immigration rules and only take on employees who are legally permitted to work in the UK.

Employers who knowingly take on workers without the right to work in the country face serious consequences, including an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to five years.

Companies can also be held liable if they do not complete the necessary right-to-work checks before bringing on new members of staff.

The public is urged by the government to report any suspicions of illegal working - this can be done anonymously by calling the Immigration Enforcement hotline on 0300 123 7000.