Embargoed until 0:01 18
November 2010 - Independent Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency
publishes report on Civil Penalties Compliance Team
A report published
today by the Independent Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency
has found that the UK Border Agency has a largely passive approach
towards the Civil Penalties scheme and has been too accommodating
towards employers' attempts to reduce penalties.
As part of a wider inspection into the UK Border
Agency's operations in the North West of England region,
the Independent Chief Inspector, John Vine CBE QPM noted that
there was a disparity between the publicised amount of penalties
issued by the UK Border Agency and payments actually collected.
Mr Vine said, "During this inspection, I was
disappointed to find that reporting of financial information was
misleading and lacking in transparency. Additionally, the findings
of this report were consistent with my 2009 inspection of the
Juxtaposed Controls at Calais and Coquelles. In that civil
penalties scheme, I also found that the level of penalties
collected was only a fraction of the amount imposed. The UK Border
Agency should review the efficiency and effectiveness of both
these schemes."
The Independent Chief Inspector's full report
"An inspection of the Civil Penalties Compliance Team -
Illegal Working" can be viewed at: www.independent.gov.uk/icinspector/news
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Notes to Editors:
1. The Office of the Independent Chief Inspector was created by
the UK Borders Act 2007. The appointment of John Vine CBE, QPM was
announced in Parliament by the Home Secretary in April 2008. He
took up his post in July 2008.
2. The Chief Inspector is independent of the UK Border Agency
and is required to report annually to the Secretary of State.
3. The purpose of inspection of the UK Border Agency is to
provide assurance to Ministers, Parliament and the public about
the safe, proper and effective delivery of the functions of the UK
Border Agency.
4. The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006
introduced a new system of civil penalties for employers who
employ illegal migrant workers. The aim of the legislation was to
provide the UK Border Agency with a swift and effective means of
tackling employers who fail to meet their obligations in their
employment practices, without criminalising those who slip up in
operating their recruitment and employment practices.
Media Enquiries:
Alex Cheatle,
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Alex Cheatle
Phone: 020 7802 0442 - 0462
alexander.cheatle@icinspector.gsi.gov.uk