Illegal immigrants working in UK could face jail under new laws

“As a one nation government we will continue to crack down on abuse and build an immigration system that works in the best interests of the British people and those who play by the rules”, the minister added.

The government has been ramping up its anti-immigration rhetoric in response to a spike in migrant attempts to reach Britain via the Channel Tunnel in France and is under pressure to show it is acting to deal with the crisis.

Illegal immigrants will face six months in jail if they come to work in the UK and late-night takeaways and taxi firms will be closed if they employ them, ministers will announce today (Tuesday).

The law would also allow for wages earned by those working in Britain illegally to be seized and would make it easier to prosecute those who knowingly employ illegal workers.

Under proposals to be included in the Immigration Bill to be presented in Parliament, takeaway restaurants and local convenience shops or locally known as off-licences could face losing their licence to operate if they are found to be employing illegal workers.

Rogue businesses are also being targeted.

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The Government will also consider extending these powers to cover minicab firms, the Home Office said.

The maximum sentence for employers found guilty of hiring illegal migrants will be raised from two to five years, in addition to the fines that are in place, the broadcaster said.

“The worst offenders would then be placed under special measures as directed by the court, which could lead to continued closure and compliance checks”.

Alp Mehmet, of Migration Watch UK, which supports tighter immigration controls, said: “This is not just about not being seen as a soft touch”.

Meanwhile, banks will be forced to check current accounts against migrant databases, and private landlords who fail to remove illegal immigrants could face jail themselves.

Cameron failed to meet a promise to cut immigration to Britain under his previous term as prime minister, and is expected to come under renewed scrutiny with the release of the latest official migration statistics on Thursday.