Two businesses in West Berkshire have been fined for employing illegal migrants.
Two West Berkshire businesses have been fined for employing illegal migrants. The Gun, a popular Newbury curry house on Andover Road, was fined £90,000 last year. AR Car Cleaning on Craven Road received a £20,000 fine.
The Home Office has called in The Gun's premises licence application to West Berkshire Council. “We have grounds to believe the license holder has failed to meet the licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder, as illegal working has been identified at this premises,” it said.
The Gun's licence applicant, Trust Inns, now has to respond to the Home Office review.
Home Office (Immigration Enforcement) can object to the grant of a licence or request a review where a licence is thought to be prejudicial to the prevention of immigration crime, including illegal working.
Section 36 and Schedule 4 of the Immigration Act 2016 amended the Licensing Act 2003 to introduce immigration safeguards for premises licence applications in England and Wales made on or after 6 April 2017. The measure aims to prevent illegal working at premises licensed for the sale of alcohol or late‑night refreshment, and added the Home Office to the list of Responsible Authorities that must receive premises licence applications.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
