Latest news with #MarkSullivan
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Surrey chip shop owner warns businesses over illegal workers
A Surrey chip shop owner has warned other small businesses to be check workers' legal documentation to work in the UK after he was fined £40, Sullivan, who runs Big Fry Fish & Chips in Egham, said immigration officers took away one of his managers in March, after the Home Office alleged they were using a false Home Office told the BBC it was employers' responsibility to conduct right to work checks and that they were "clamping down" on those who failed to do Sullivan said the worker had supplied him all the paperwork, which included a copy of his UK passport, addresses, bank account and national insurance, which Mr Sullivan thought was legitimate. Mr Sullivan told Radio Surrey: "We later found out he had a totally different name, which was different from all the paperwork he had given us."There were no red flags to suggest he was anything but the person who we were led to believe. He was also employed in the UK before he worked for us."He added the worker was employed at his shop on February 2023 and at the time he was paying back the worker's student loan and an attachment of earnings order from a borough council for his rent Sullivan said he submitted the documents, supplied to him from the concerned worker, to the Home added he was not worried at the time because the documents were supported."I then received a letter from Home Office saying we were fined £40,000 for employing an illegal person. We were in total shock," Mr Sullivan said. 'Genuine mistake' Mr Sullivan said the original fine was £45,000 but he was given a discount as he assisted Home Office with their enquiries straight said he was advised by an immigration lawyer to pay the fine rather than challenge it, otherwise the cost could reach up to £80,000 if he lost the appeal. He added he was given an option to reduce the fine to £28,000 if it was paid within a time frame, which he paid."It's had a big impact on the business. There's a massive cash flow hole," he added."Obviously, retail trade is struggling and this is the last thing we needed."Mr Sullivan said there was "nothing he could have done more" to detect red flags and it was a "genuine mistake". "When we employed him, we went online to confirm his right to work. One of the first questions asked was does the person have a UK passport," he added."As soon as we clicked 'yes', because as far as we were concerned he did, the website said no further checks were needed."We can't check people's passports whether they're true or not. We also paid him through the pay as you go system (PAYE)."Craig Beaumont, executive director at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said a penalty of this amount could be "fatal" to small businesses. "Small employers take their responsibilities seriously in necessary documentation checks, but ultimately they are not immigration officers," they added."They need a system which treats genuine mistakes proportionately rather than punishing them with crushing fines large enough potentially to threaten the existence of their business."A government spokesperson said: "Illegal working undermines honest employers and undercuts local wages – it is against the law to work in the UK when you have no right to be here."Employers are responsible for carrying out right to work checks, there is comprehensive guidance on how to do this and we are clamping down on those who do added that right to work checks can be completed by either a manual check, checking using a digital verification service, or a Home Office online check.
The Guardian
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Chippie owner given ‘devastating' £40,000 fine by Home office for allegedly illegal hire
A fish and chip shop owner has been handed a 'devastating' £40,000 fine by the Home Office after hiring a man who had allegedly forged his identity, as ministers face calls to reduce the size of such penalties for small businesses amid a surge in enforcement. In March, Home Office immigration officers stormed Big Fry Fish & Chips in Egham, Surrey, in a raid that left staff 'terrified'. Officers took away a man, who was employed by the shop, on the alleged grounds that he did not have to right to work in the UK. When the man was hired in early 2023, he provided the chippie with a national insurance number, proof of student loan payments and housing benefit receipts from the local council. He also provided a photocopy of his British passport and was paid via pay as you earn (PAYE) through HMRC. The business did not see the original copy of the man's passport, which its owner, Mark Sullivan, said was a 'clerical error'. The Home Office alleges the man was using another person's identity and the passport had a name that was not his real one. All of the other documents he provided matched the name on the passport. 'It wasn't done deliberately, we owned up when we found out,' said Sullivan. 'We told them what happened, but we were given no right to defend ourselves.' In correspondence seen by the Guardian, the Home Office told Sullivan that 'national insurance numbers, student loan payments and housing benefit receipts are not proof of an individual's identity or right to work in the UK'. When the £40,000 fine came in, Sullivan was presented with two choices. Pay up within 21 days for a 30% discount, bringing the fine down to £28,000 or object to the decision, which a lawyer advised against as the sum could have soared to £80,000. He opted for the former because the latter option would have led to the 'end' of his business. 'The fine that we had is devastating. We're just a small business,' said Sullivan. 'I've employed people all my life. I've never employed anybody working illegally deliberately.' The company was given a £5,000 discount for being cooperative. It could have received another £5,000 off if Sullivan had reported suspicions about the man, whom he described as 'extremely pleasant and polite', to the UK Visas and Immigration hotline. 'He had a bank account, he was already working when he came to work for us, he'd had a university education and we were paying back the loan for him,' said Sullivan. 'Where were the red flags for us?' Last year, such fines for businesses rose from £15,000 for each worker to £45,000. The increased penalty came as the Home Office stepped up enforcement and raids on businesses. This fine is the same no matter the size of the company. From July 2024 to March of this year, the Home Office issued 1,508 civil penalty notices. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said there was widespread worry among small business owners about falling foul of complex Home Office rules, which could lead to potentially 'fatal' fines for companies. It called on ministers to 'accept that the size of employer now gets reflected in Home Office fines and systems'. The executive director of the FSB, Craig Beaumont, said: 'Small employers take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to necessary documentation checks, but ultimately, they are not immigration officers. They need a system which treats genuine mistakes proportionately rather than punishing them with crushing fines large enough potentially to threaten the existence of their business. 'In this case, a fish and chip shop engaged with the Home Office in good faith to resolve an issue when a one-off honest mistake came to light, only to be handed a massive fine with no right to appeal or chance to explain – and a ticking clock to force payment before the cost dramatically increases. 'It's disappointing to see a genuine effort to do the right thing met with such an inflexible response. That kind of approach feels more like punishment than enforcement.' Enforcement against illegal working, which has already ramped up, looks likely to increase further. Earlier this month, speaking after announcing an agreement with France over small boat crossings, the prime minister, Keir Starmer, said the government was undertaking a nationwide crackdown on people working illegally, which he claimed was happening 'on a completely unprecedented scale'. Last month, the UK's three largest food delivery companies announced increased security checks for riders after ministers summoned them to a meeting. The change came shortly after the shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, claimed to have found people working illegally for the companies during a visit to a hotel used to house asylum seekers. People granted the right to remain in the UK still reside in such housing for a short period before leaving and are legally allowed to work. Those still waiting for a decision are given £8.86 a week for essential living costs, a sum they may need to live on for months or years amid a huge backlog of unprocessed asylum claims. A government spokesperson said: 'Employers are responsible for carrying out right to work checks and there is comprehensive guidance and support on how to do this. The checks are free and take minutes to complete, with businesses able to utilise digital ID verification technology to support the process.'
Axios
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
10 SF restaurants that will be open this Fourth of July
If you're planning to dine out this Fourth of July, look no further. Driving the news: While lots of eateries close for the holiday, many will open their doors to the masses when Friday arrives. Yes, but: It's best to make a reservation if you've been dying to try a spot. 🍔 Wayfare Tavern (201 Pine St.): This contemporary American restaurant features dishes inspired by local cuisine, ranging from prime beef tartare to Skuna Bay salmon. 🍷 Spruce (3640 Sacramento St.): Chef Mark Sullivan crafts seasonal menus, which include dry-aged duck and fava bean tortelloni, that are paired with an extensive wine list. 📽️ Foreign Cinema (2534 Mission St.): Enjoy California-Mediterranean cuisine and independent films at this unique restaurant, which is currently screening " Confidentially Yours" alongside dishes like summer biryani and grilled lamb rack. 🥩 John's Grill (63 Ellis St.): Celebrate the holiday at one of the city's oldest and most famous restaurants. Fresh seafood and great steaks are on the menu, which is a favorite among celebrities. 🌶️ Burma Love Downtown (8 Mint Plz.): This place is one of my favorite restaurants in the city, featuring dishes like mohinga, wok-tossed chili and the iconic fermented tea leaf salad. 🍕 A16 (2355 Chestnut St.): One of the most popular Neopolitan pizza places in SF, this restaurant offers a curated selection of local, organic produce and meats to craft wood oven-fired pizzas. 🥟 Harborview Restaurant & Bar (4 Embarcadero Ctr.): Savor a variety of traditional Cantonese classics, combined with original recipes, at this banquet near the Ferry Building. 🍸 Bar Shoji (140 New Montgomery St., suite 1200): Indulge in Japanese-inspired craft cocktails and bar bites at this SoMa staple. Reservations are limited to 90 minutes per seating. 🦪 Angler (132 The Embarcadero): This seafood-focused restaurant on the waterfront features expansive views of the bay and dishes cooked over a wood-burning hearth.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
IPT Africa Joins the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business to Strengthen Cross-Border Trade Between Canada and Africa
AFRICA The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business ( is proud to welcome IPT Africa, a leading pan-African cross-border payment and collections platform, as its newest member. Headquartered in Mauritius, IPT Africa empowers global businesses to operate seamlessly across the African continent. With access to real-time FX pricing, multi-currency virtual wallets, and on-the-ground collection and payout capabilities in 40+ African currencies, IPT Africa is uniquely positioned to solve the challenges many Canadian businesses face when transacting with Africa. Mark Sullivan, founder and CEO of IPT Africa, will address the Africa Accelerating 2025 ( conference in Toronto on September 9th this year, during the flagship program of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, which serves to accelerate Canada-Africa trade and investment. 'We are delighted to welcome IPT Africa to the Chamber,' said Garreth Bloor, President of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business. 'Their expertise in navigating payment complexities across Africa makes them a valuable partner for Canadian companies seeking to scale operations and strengthen ties with the continent.' Canadian businesses, from mining and infrastructure giants to agile SMEs, often face barriers such as: Limited access to local currencies Delayed or failed payment settlements Managing Pan African Payroll Difficulty repatriating funds High FX costs and regulatory hurdles IPT Africa's platform addresses these issues with same-day or next-day settlement, AI-driven compliance, and full transparency through a cloud-native dashboard designed for operational ease and peace of mind. 'Africa is closer than you think, when you have the right partner,' said Mark O Sullivan, CEO of IPT Africa. 'We're excited to collaborate with Canadian companies and the Chamber to drive real impact through reliable financial infrastructure and smart technology.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business. Media Contact: Adrian Ashton CMO, IPT Africa adrian@ About IPT Africa: IPT Africa is a leading B2B cross-border payment platform enabling collections, payments, and treasury solutions across Africa and emerging markets. With operations in 21+ African countries and support for 150+ global currencies, IPT Africa delivers real-time liquidity, compliance, and settlement solutions to help international companies scale faster and operate more efficiently across borders. Learn more at About the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business: The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating trade, investment, and business partnerships between Canada and African markets. For over 30 years, the Chamber has been a platform for dialogue, policy engagement, and business matchmaking across sectors and borders. Learn more at Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an 'as is' and 'as available' basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release. The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
