The Government are firmly committed to preventing illegal migrant working and the misuse of our asylum system by those seeking financial advantage rather than protection. We have significantly reduced the number of unfounded asylum claims, increased removals of refused applicants and strengthened controls on illegal working. Our strategy also involves increasing enforcement, encouraging compliance by business and developing joint working between relevant agencies.
I thank the Minister for his reply, but does he agree that that practice puts vulnerable people at the mercy of gangmasters, and undermines wages and working practices for legitimate employees? It is crucial that we target unscrupulous employers who are prepared to exploit such people for their own financial ends, so will he make it a high priority for his Department to target and deal with them?
My hon. Friend’s analysis is right. As he will know, in 2004 we widened the number of documents that have to be checked. In the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, we proposed penalties for employers who knowingly employ workers illegally. My hon. Friend will be interested to know that those offences can be tried either way, and the maximum sentence is up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine. We proposed, too, to introduce biometric identity cards for foreign nationals, so that it is easier for employers to check what rights workers have. The measure does not stand on its own—it is part of a package—as we intend to pass the right laws in the House and put the right resources into the hands of the immigration and nationality directorate and relevant agencies.
Notwithstanding the reply from the Minister of State to the hon. Member for West Bromwich, West (Mr. Bailey), and at the risk of sparking controversy, may I suggest that one way of tackling illegal working by asylum seekers is to increase the scope to make it legal? Given that there are thousands of asylum seekers in the UK who are qualified doctors, dentists and scientists as well as other professionals, does it not make sense to take a slightly more relaxed view and change the law so that those people can use their skills and earn a living for the benefit of the country?
The hon. Gentleman always brings intelligence and insight to our debates, and I very much hope that it will be taken fully into account in the review that the hon. Member for Ashford (Damian Green) is leading on behalf of his party. Under a concession that was updated some years ago, it is possible for asylum seekers to apply for the ability to work after 12 months. In the meantime, it is right that controls remain in place so we do not offer the wrong incentives to attract people to the UK.