New legislation on employing foreign workers comes into force
Parts of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 came into force at the end of February and require small employers to make stringent checks on foreign workers.
The measures impose tough fines on employers caught breaking the law and also introduce a points-style system which takes into account the skills of migrants who want to work or study in the UK.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said that the new fines are draconian and unfair if imposed on employers who have no idea that their employees are working illegally.
The Home Office has produced guides to help employers understand the new legislation.
