ILLEGAL WORKERS AND SUSPECT BUSINESSES FACE CRACKDOWN TO BE ANNOUNCED IN THE BUDGET

Brian Madderson, Chairman of the Car Wash Association (CWA), has welcomed the Government initiative, announced by the Prime Minister to reporters on his flight returning from the G20 Summit, that Rachel Reeves would be detailing plans for the Fair Work Agency (FWA) when established next Spring.

The Prime Minister had said “it is too easy to work illegally in the UK, so the plan is all about dealing with the PULL factors.”

This involves a new 18-strong team of investigators, controlled by the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse operations executive as part of a £1million package to find and root out firms that flout employment and tax laws. The first phase will be directed towards the 5,000 Hand Car Washes across England and Wales.

Madderson said: “By targeting these non-compliant businesses, our law-abiding members will not be undermined by those ignoring the rules. At long last measures are being enacted to provide a level playing field in this £2.5billion/year car wash sector.”

The new team will liaise with Immigration Enforcement and HMRC to ensure robust and effective action against offenders. In the past year to September, there were 8,232 arrests of illegal workers – up 63% on the previous 12 months.