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The government needs to do more to ensure SMEs are aware of changes to the law which affect their rights and responsibilities, claims a business expert.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) called for the government to make “a special effort” to publicise legal changes to SMEs, ahead of the unveiling of new measures to tackle illegal migrant working.

Simon Briault, spokesperson for the FSB, says difficulties can arise from there being too many potential sources of information for businesses. “Most people go: 'Well, I have no idea where to go to find this information, I don't have all day to trawl through hundreds of websites to find out what my obligations are’.”

Briault adds that the government needs to make changes so SMEs do not get caught out because they were unaware of a piece of legislation.

However, on the Home Office website, regular updates regarding legal changes are published, including a statement released last December publicising a marketing campaign informing employers of the new law.

It is not surprising that the FSB should feel nervous; according to a survey by UK Business Forums, forty-four per cent of business owners admitted that at no point do they attempt to verify the legality of new employees.

The Home Office estimates it will cost more than £27 million for businesses to acquaint themselves with the new legislation, which introduces a new criminal offence for employers who knowingly employ illegal migrant workers. Anyone caught breaking the law could face a maximum two year prison sentence and a fine of up to £10,000 per employee.

For updates on government legislation regarding illegal migrant workers, go to: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/

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