Several North East businesses have been fined thousands of pounds after they were found to be employing illegal workers at the start of this year.

The businesses have been listed in the Government's quarterly round-up of companies that have had penalties issued for the use of illegal workers.

According to the data, which was released on December 1 - which is updated every three months - the seven businesses that have been caught have been fined between £10,000 to £50,000.

The Home Office releases the data into the public record four times per year, and the latest data relates to the period of April 1 to June 30, 2023.

The businesses that have been fined for employing illegal workers are: 

  • Ahad Tandoori - Ahad Tandoori Restaurant (Gosforth) Limited, 78-82 High Street, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-TyneNE3 1HB. Fined: £10,000.00
  • China Garden, China Garden (NE) Ltd, 25 York Road, Birtley, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, DH3 2DE. Fined: £30,000.00
  • Vespa Italian Bar and Restaurant, L&R Leisure NE Ltd, Roman Road, Primrose Hill, Jarrow, NE32 5UB. Fined: £50,000.00
  • Wheatley Hill Store, Max Convenience Durham Ltd, .9 Granville Terrace, Wheatley Hill, Durham, DH6 3JQ. Fined: £10,000.00
  • Persian Delight, Persian Delight Ltd, 280 Stanhope Street, Newcastle, NE4 5JT. Fined: £15,000.00
  • Montana Rashida Begum Hussain, 195 York Road, Hartlepool, TS26 9EE. Fined: £15,000.00
  • Starline Newsagents, Rezgar Othman, 252-256 Elswick Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE4 6SN. Fined: £15,000.00

According to the Government, there can be severe penalties for employing individuals who do not have the right to work.

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Gov.uk says: "You can be sent to jail for 5 years and pay an unlimited fine if you’re found guilty of employing someone who you knew or had ‘reasonable cause to believe’ did not have the right to work in the UK.

This includes, for example, if you had any reason to believe that:

  • They did not have leave (permission) to enter or remain in the UK
  • Their leave had expired
  • They were not allowed to do certain types of work
  • Their papers were incorrect or false