A HANDFUL of Essex businesses have been fined thousands of pounds after they were found to be employing illegal workers.

The businesses have been listed in the Government's quarterly round-up of companies that have had penalties issued for the use of illegal workers.

According to the data - which is updated every three months - the seven businesses caught owe between £15K and £60K each.

The Home Office releases the data into the public record four times per year, and the latest data relates to the period of April 1 to June 30, 2024, and was released in October.

The seven businesses that have been fined are: 

  • £15,000 - Kervan KitchenWillow Essex - Ltd Church Lane, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex
  • £60,000 - Ryan’s Hand Car WashRyan Hand Car Wash Ltd Colchester Road, Chelmsford, Essex
  • Amount unknown - Piccolo Restaurant, Piccolo 42 North Hill Ltd42 North Hill, Colchester, Essex
  • £​45,000 - Zen City & Sakura Limited, Zen City & Sakura Limited123-125 Hamlet Court Road, Southend-on-Sea
  • £45,000 - Diamond HouseMalthouse of Basildon Limited, 104 Whitmore Way, Basildon, Essex
  • Amount unknown - British Fried Chicken & Pizza, Brit Fried Chicken Limited3 Station Approach, Laindon, Basildon, Essex

According to the Government, there can be severe penalties for employing individuals who do not have the right to work.

The Gov.uk website states: "You can be sent to jail for 5 years and pay an unlimited fine if you’re found guilty of employing someone who you knew or had ‘reasonable cause to believe’ did not have the right to work in the UK."

This includes, for example, if you had any reason to believe that:

  • They did not have leave (permission) to enter or remain in the UK
  • Their leave had expired
  • They were not allowed to do certain types of work
  • Their papers were incorrect or false

To report a crime anonymously, call the Immigration Enforcement hotline on 0300 123 7000.