London:Measures to toughen penalties against rogue businesses employing illegal migrants have been unveiled by the government. The government also announced measures cutting red tape for legitimate employers .

These proposals are part of the government's plans to make it more difficult for illegal migrants to live and work in the UK, and to take tougher action against the rogue employers who exploit them: Home Office Explained in a press release

. It is also intended to ensure that the country's immigration policy is built into the benefits system, health system, housing system and the provision of services across government. The proposals will simplify and strengthen the current civil penalty scheme to prevent illegal working. The plans will form part of the Immigration Bill, being introduced later this year.

Immigration Minister Mark Harper said:'This government is committed to taking action to effectively tackle illegal working. Illegal working encourages illegal immigration, it undercuts legitimate businesses by illegal cost-cutting activity, and is often associated with exploitative behaviour like tax evasion and harmful working conditions.' We will not allow the growth of a shadow economy for illegal migrants, so we are proposing to get tougher on employers who exploit illegal labour.

'At the same time, we want to make it easier for legitimate businesses by reducing the administrative costs of complying with right to work checks.'

Proposals being considered to toughen civil penalties for businesses employing illegal migrants are:

· An increase in the maximum penalty to £20,000 per illegal worker, targeted at those employers who repeatedly break the rules;

· Simplifying the way civil penalties are calculated;

· Simplifying the way unpaid penalties can be enforced in the civil courts; and

Measures to allow recovery of a civil penalty from directors and partners of limited liability businesses following failure to pay by the business.