The UK government is stepping up its efforts to stop businesses from hiring illegal workers as part of a plan to reduce both legal and illegal immigration. More than 10 Indian-owned businesses, most of them restaurants, in the UK have been hit with large fines, with the Rajpoot Indian Restaurant in Devon, England, facing the biggest penalty of £80,000. These actions show the government’s strong focus on tightening immigration rules and decreasing the number of people living and working in the country illegally.

The fines for hiring illegal workers were issued between January and March, and Indian businesses faced a total penalty of £265,000.

In 2023, over 1,500 Indians crossed the English Channel in small boats, trying to reach the UK to find jobs and seek asylum, according to UK Home Office.

Among the Indian restaurants that hired illegal workers, Akash Tandoori in Essex was fined £40,000, while Sunu’s Kitchen faced a £20,000 penalty. Other significant fines include Taza Kebab House in Greater London and Badsha Indian Cuisine in Kent, both fined £30,000.

Additional fines were handed out to Raj Cuisine in Telford, Alishaan Takeaway in Birmingham, Desi Moments Karahi House in Stoke-on-Trent, Kashmir Halal Meats in Derbyshire, and Kirthon Indian Restaurant in Leatherhead, each fined £10,000.

Curry Lounge Indian Restaurant in Kent was fined £15,000.

These civil penalties are part of a broader strategy by the Home Office to enforce immigration laws.

Businesses found employing illegal workers can face fines of up to £45,000 per worker for a first offence and up to £60,000 for repeat offences.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to “intensify” Immigration Enforcement operations over the summer as part of Labour’s efforts to strengthen border security, according to the BBC.

Last month, Cooper stated that she aims to achieve the highest number of removals of people without the right to stay in the UK since 2018. She also announced a new “intelligence-driven” plan to target businesses that hire people illegally.

In February 2024, an Indian restaurant owner has been banned from being a company director for seven years until 2031, after employing three illegal workers at his restaurant in Hertfordshire, UK.

Ikbal Hussain, 51, hired the workers at The Taste of Raj, located on High Street, Stanstead Abbotts. The workers were detected after the restaurant was raided by Immigration Enforcement officials in 2020.