The Home Office publishes counts and values of illegal-working civil penalties. These administrative measures need the right period and label; they are not a forecast of what one employer will pay.
Use the published series
The immigration transparency collection includes immigration enforcement data. Adding the quarterly figures in CP_02 produces these year-ending-March totals:
| Year ending March | Number of civil penalties | Value of civil penalties (£m) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 192 | 3.6 |
| 2022 | 379 | 6.1 |
| 2023 | 1,105 | 19.5 |
| 2024 | 1,676 | 30.5 |
| 2025 | 2,171 | 110.8 |
The year-ending-March period differs from a calendar year. Keep it alongside the figure when comparing years. Penalty value is not necessarily money collected, and a penalty count is not a count of all immigration enforcement activity.
Avoid conclusions the table cannot support
This series does not establish the cause of each penalty, the share involving a particular sector or a collection rate. Claims about those matters need a corresponding published source. A rising national total does not give an organisation a numerical probability of inspection or liability.
The higher penalty maxima began on 13 February 2024. Their effect cannot be separated from other changes simply by observing the headline value. See the civil penalty framework for the distinction between rates and an individual assessment.
Review your own records
Use the employer guide to assess prescribed checks, evidence and follow-up requirements. Missing paperwork is a gap to investigate, rather than an automatic penalty.
Certifyd supports worker evidence and review dates. It does not use these national totals to predict enforcement or guarantee a statutory excuse.