Fine for bosses and landlords who turn blind eye to illegal migrants are to TRIPLE

FINES for bosses and landlords who turn a blind eye to illegal migrants are to triple.

The crackdown comes amid minsters' continued scramble to try to end small boat crossings.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick last night blasted "unscrupulous" bosses who he said assist the people smugglers selling passage in small boats by allowing undocumented working.

Now the law will be changed to dramatically hike fines from the start of next year.

The civil penalty for employers, which was last increased in 2014, will be raised to up to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach from £15,000, and up to £60,000 for repeat breaches from £20,000.

For landlords the fines will increase from £80 per illegal lodger and £1,000 per occupier for a first breach to up to £5,000 per lodger and £10,000 per occupier.

Repeat breaches will be up to £10,000 per lodger and £20,000 per occupier, up from £500 and £3,000 respectively.

The Home Office said last night that "illegal working and renting are significant pull factors for migrants crossing the Channel" and that increasing fines will serve as a deterrent.

Mr Jenrick said: "Making it harder for illegal migrants to work and operate in the UK is vital to deterring dangerous, unnecessary small boat crossings.

"Unscrupulous landlords and employers who allow illegal working and renting enable the business model of the evil people smugglers to continue.

"There is no excuse for not conducting the appropriate checks and those in breach will now face significantly tougher penalties."

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: "Every day the country is subjected to another pointless announcement on the asylum system which will make no meaningful difference.

"A bolder fix is required by ministers, yet they are too arrogant to admit it."