Recruitment agencies are supplying information to the Home Office on illegal workers and false papers, but this is not followed up.

A survey by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) found that 77% of agencies have seen identity papers and work permits that they suspect to be false. However, of those that reported the problem to the Immigration Service, 30% found the service unhelpful, and 47% felt that decisive action was not taken on the matter.

Marcia Roberts, acting chief executive of the REC, says: "The Home Office needs to fulfil its side of the bargain if they expect greater reporting of suspected illegal workers from businesses."