Newsagents fined thousands and named on illegal working penalties list

A borough newsagents has been fined thousands of pounds and named on the government's illegal working civil penalties list.

The government regularly reveals which companies have been penalised for breaking the rules in this area.

And in the most recent release, which covered cases between July and September last year, A.K. News on Springfield Road in Kearsley was among those named.

The company, the only one from the borough to be named, was given a fine of £10,000 after being named in the illegal working civil penalties list.

The list does not specify how many illegal workers were found to have been working at the newsagents.

The fine was among the lowest amount given to companies from the north west which breached the rules over illegal workers.

The highest, which was handed out to a firm in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, was £40,000.

AK News has been approached by The Bolton News for a comment about the fine.

The business is run by New Zak Services Ltd, based in Manchester.

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The government has previously made clear that it is up to an employer to check whether someone has the right to work in the country before bringing them onto the books.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Illegal working undercuts honest employers, puts vulnerable migrants at risk of exploitation, cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment and defrauds the public purse.

“Tackling this damaging crime is a key government priority.

“The government is bringing forward a New Plan for Immigration that is fair but firm, which will stop the abuse of the system and expedite the removal of those who have no right to be here.”

Changes brought after Covid mean a boss can receive documents proving someone has the right to work her digitally.

If an applicant cannot show documents an employer is required to check their immigration status with the Home Office.