In brief
Employers who unwittingly hire illegal workers could face a fine of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker found at a business, the government has announced. When the new rules are introduced in February next year, employers found to have knowingly hired illegal workers could incur an unlimited fine and be sent to prison. Other measures to be introduced in the next year include an Australian-style points-based system which will allot foreign workers a grade and make it easier (or harder) for them to work here, depending on their skillset.