Construction employers are being urged to review their safer hiring practices after construction, building services and site support businesses were fined more than £1 million pounds for hiring illegal workers, according to Home Office data analysed by Personnel Checks.

 

Analysis of the latest Home Office illegal working civil penalties data identified more than £1 million worth of penalties issued to construction-related businesses, with individual fines ranging from £40,000 to £315,000.

 

The largest penalty was issued to Sandu Site Solutions Limited, which received a £315,000 fine. Other significant penalties included £120,000 for M A Builders London Ltd, £90,000 for Bhutta Builders Ltd and £80,000 for K.S. Building Services Solihull Limited, alongside a series of penalties issued to construction, civils, drylining, building services and site support businesses across the UK.

 

The Home Office list highlights employers that have breached right-to-work rules. It typically includes businesses that have failed to pay their fines within 28 days after exhausting any appeals, or employers that have received repeat penalties.

 

The findings come as construction businesses continue to face ongoing labour shortages and skills gaps, with many employers relying on subcontractors, agency workers and temporary labour to keep projects moving.

 

Separate Home Office enforcement figures show there were 290 illegal working visits to construction businesses during 2025, resulting in 588 arrests. While enforcement activity is more heavily concentrated in sectors such as hospitality, and retail, the latest penalties demonstrate that construction employers remain exposed to significant compliance risks when proper checks are not carried out.

 

Personnel Checks said the findings should serve as a reminder that compliance should form part of wider safer hiring practices, helping employers verify who they are hiring and reduce the risk of costly mistakes.

 

Jack Mellor, CEO of Personnel Checks said: “Construction employers operate in a challenging recruitment environment where projects often depend on subcontractors, temporary workers and agency staff. However, pressure to fill vacancies quickly should never come at the expense of proper hiring checks.

 

“These penalties highlight why robust safer hiring practices are so important. Right-to-work checks are a legal requirement, but employers should also consider wider measures such as identity verification, DBS checks where appropriate, reference checks and maintaining accurate recruitment records.

 

“Many businesses invest heavily in site safety, risk management and compliance. The same approach should apply to recruitment. Verifying who you hire before they arrive on site is one of the most effective ways to protect your workforce, your reputation and your business.

 

“Taking shortcuts during recruitment can have serious consequences. Financial penalties are significant, but employers can also face reputational damage, operational disruption and increased scrutiny from regulators.”

 

Personnel Checks is encouraging construction employers to regularly review recruitment procedures, audit compliance processes and ensure hiring managers understand current right-to-work requirements and safer hiring best practice.