People who drive a car while they are in Britain illegally face being jailed and having their vehicle seized under powers included in the government’s latest immigration bill.
Most of the measures in the legislation, published on Thursday, are designed to create “a hostile environment” for migrants who are in Britain unlawfully and have already been strongly trailed by ministers since the general election. The Commons second reading of the bill is scheduled for 13 October, shortly after the Conservative party conference.
The provisions of the bill include creating a new offence of illegal working, extending the scheme requiring landlords to check the immigration status of their tenants, making it easier to evict undocumented migrants and requiring banks and building societies to regularly check the status of their account holders.
The new offence of driving while unlawfully in the UK will carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison and an unlimited fine in England and Wales.
“Anyone arrested for the new offence could have their car impounded and, if convicted, forfeited. Immigration enforcement officers will have new powers to search individuals and properties and seize driving licences if they suspect someone to be here illegally,” said a Home Office spokesman.
The published bill includes detailed measures to withdraw support from refused asylum seekers and to introduce powers to electronically tag those refused immigration bail.
They also include higher penalties for those who employ illegal migrants, a new skills levy on business who recruit staff from outside Europe and a new role of director of labour market enforcement.
The immigration minister, James Brokenshire, said: “The message is clear – if you are here illegally, you shouldn’t be entitled to receive the everyday benefits and services available to hard-working UK families and people who have come to this country legitimately to contribute.
“Whether it is working, renting a flat, having a bank account or driving a car, the new immigration bill will help us to take tougher action than ever before on those who flout the law,.”
