Pictured above: Gary Dewhurst

The head of a Midlands recruitment company has issued a warning over "ignorant" agencies that fail to carry out right-to-work checks on suspected illegal workers.

Gary Dewhurst, managing director of gap personnel, was responding to figures showing that fines of £19m were issued to employers and recruiters last year for failing to carry out adequate checks to verify candidates' right to work in the UK.

The Freedom of Information Act data shows that the UK Border Agency has issued 5,531 civil penalties with a total value of £53,097,500 since the new system was introduced in February 2008.

The level of fine varies according to whether suitable eligibility checks - such as verifying right to work by checking IDs, residency rights and passports - have been carried out.

Gary said: "The UK Border Agency has the power to issue civil penalties of up to £10,000 to employers for every illegal worker.

"Despite this, not all employers consistently carry out the relevant checks during the recruitment process.

"Even many recruitment firms don't seem to realise they are legally required to carry out certain ID checks on candidates they put forward to their clients."

Industrial recruitment specialist gap is the UK's eighth largest industrial labour provider. It places and payroll up to 4,000 temporary workers every week, covering more than 1.5 million shifts a year.

The company, which has never been fined for failing to carry out a right-to-work check, has eight branches in the Midlands including Birmingham, Derby, Northampton and Telford. 

Gary, who founded gap in 1997, attributed its 100 per cent record to a rigorous induction process and ongoing staff education.

He said: "Familiarity with the rules on right-to-work checks is a pivotal part of our employee education process.

"All new starters must complete an online induction that focuses on getting them up to speed with the requirements. However, that is just the start.

"We believe in ongoing staff development and education, which is why we hold frequent refresher courses. Everyone at gap has access to a centrally located electronic folder that tells them everything they need to know about the rules.

"In addition, all of our staff undertake the REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) certificate in recruitment practice. 

"All of this ensures that as a company we carry out rigorous checks at every stage when recruiting candidates who will go on to work for one of our clients."

He added: "As a responsible recruiter, we treat legal issues such as a candidate's right to work in the UK with the uppermost importance.

"Our 100 per cent record is a source of pride and we will strive to maintain it."

For more information about gap personnel, please visit their website: www.gap-personnel.com