A shop in West London has been fined £10,000 for employing an illegal worker and paying them significantly below the minimum wage, according to a Home Office investigation. The enforcement action was part of a broader crackdown on illegal employment in the area.
The worker, whose identity has not been disclosed, was found to be earning far less than the National Living Wage, which as of April 2026 stands at £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. The employer failed to conduct proper right-to-work checks, leading to the penalty.
Home Office officials stated that the fine serves as a warning to other businesses that flout immigration and employment laws. The shop, which has not been named in public records, has been given 28 days to pay the penalty or face further legal action.
