Construction will be one of the sectors singled-out by Government for an increased wave of raids in a bid to clampdown on illegal migrants.
Home Office Minister James Brokenshire told the Times the Government will be using its “full force” to crackdown on “rogue employers”.
Construction will be a targeted sector for raids alongside the care and cleaning industries.
Brokenshire said: “Rogue employers who give jobs to illegal migrants are denying work to UK citizens and legal migrants, and helping drive down wages.
“Experience tells us that employers who are prepared to cheat employment rules are also likely to breach health and safety rules and pay insufficient tax.
“That’s why our new approach will be to use the full force of government machinery to hit them from all angles and take away the unfair advantage enjoyed by those who employ illegal migrants.”
One contractor said: “This sounds like more Government grandstanding over the Calais situation.
“UK sites would grind to a halt without migrant workers and the vast majority are here perfectly legally as EU members.”
