No business or recruitment agency will be permitted to recruit abroad without advertising first in the UK, under radical new immigration reforms due to be announced by David Cameron today.
In his first speech on immigration since winning the election, Cameron will unveil plans to crack down on immigration and illegal labour by making the UK a “less attractive place to come and work”.
Among other reforms, a new labour market enforcement agency will established to tackle the worst cases of labour market exploitation, such as workers being paid the minimum wage but then being charged extortionate rents.
Cameron will promise the bill will put “an end to houses packed full of illegal workers; stop illegal migrants stalling deportation; give British people the skills to do the jobs Britain needs,” the Guardian has reported.
The news comes as fresh produce industry bodies, including the NFU, have repeatedly stressed the sector's dependence on seasonal foreign workers.
Other new policies will mean illegal foreign workers will have their wages seized by police and face deportation without appeal, while local councils will have the power to evict migrants and force all banks to check bank accounts against databases of people who could be in the country illegally.
The speech comes ahead of the Queen’s speech at the state opening of parliament next Wednesday (27 May), which Cameron has said will include a series of laws to “root out illegal immigrants and bolster deportations”.
Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, home secretary Theresa May said the changes will make a “very real difference” on immigration by acting as a “deterrent” on migrants remaining in Britain when their visa runs out.
“Now we’re in a majority Conservative government we’re able to go further,” she said.
