Fines of £19m overall have been issued to employers and recruiters in the past year for failing to carry out adequate checks to verify candidates’ right to work in the UK.

The warning comes from giant precision, a web-based back office solutions provider to the recruitment industry.

According to data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, 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.

This new system gave the UK Border Agency the power to issue civil penalties of up to £10,000 to employers for every illegal worker.

The level of fine varies according to whether suitable eligibility checks — such as verifying right to work by checking passports — have been carried out.

Despite the tougher regime, not all employers and recruiters consistently carry out right to work checks during the recruitment process, says giant precision.