Suffolk car washes in Ipswich, Stowmarket and Barton Mills, near Mildenhall, handed fines for hiring illegal workers

Four Suffolk car washes have been handed fines for hiring illegal workers.

According to Home Office data, £260,000 in fines were issued in the county between April 1 and June 30.

The highest amount, a £180,000 charge, was given to Fiveways Car Wash, at Barton Mills on the A11 near Mildenhall.

It was one of only two businesses in Britain handed a fine this high, with the other being HCK Fast Food And Golden Bowl, in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

In addition, immigration crackdowns also took place at two businesses in Ipswich.

Eric Professional Hand Car Wash, at the Old Station Yard, in Derby Road, and ICC Car wash, in the Buttermarket car park, Falcon Street, were fined £20,000 each.

Meanwhile, Stowmarket Station Hand Car Wash at Charringtons Yard, in Station Road East, Stowmarket, was forced to pay £40,000.

According to legal experts, the large numbers reflect a hike in the amount businesses can be fined for hiring illegal workers.

In February, figures rose from £15,000 to £45,000 for a first offence – and from £20,000 to £60,000 for repeat violations.

Nationwide, fines rose 165 per cent in the first quarter. The Home Office report shows that £21,485,000 in fines were issued to more than 200 businesses.

Yash Dubal, director of visa and immigration law firm A Y & J Solicitors, said firms have a right to appeal these decisions.

Mr Dubal said: “These figures show the cost to businesses when they do get it wrong.

“An employer has a responsibility to make sure workers are legally allowed to work. Ignorance is not a defence and if you cannot show you have made the necessary checks you could be facing a significant fine.

“Labour shows no signs of softening the stance against undocumented workers and the higher fines now being issued will put some companies out of business.”

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