Legislation – Immigration Act 2016

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Introduction

PART 1
Labour market and illegal working

CHAPTER 1 Labour market

Director of Labour Market Enforcement

1 Director of Labour Market Enforcement

2 Labour market enforcement strategy

3 Non-compliance in the labour market : interpretation

4 Annual and other reports

5 Publication of strategy and reports

6 Information gateways

7 Information gateways: supplementary

8 Information hub

9 Restriction on exercising functions in relation to individual cases

Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority

10 Renaming of Gangmasters Licensing Authority

11 Functions in relation to labour market

12 PACE powers in England and Wales for labour abuse prevention officers

13 Relationship with other agencies: requests for assistance

Labour market enforcement undertakings

14 Power to request undertaking

15 Measures in LME undertakings

16 Duration

17 Further provision about giving notice under section 14

Labour market enforcement orders

18 Power to make LME order on application

19 Applications

20 Power to make LME order on conviction

21 Measures in LME orders

22 Further provision about LME orders

23 Variation and discharge

24 Appeals

LME undertakings and orders: supplementary

25 Code of practice

26 Investigative functions

27 Offence

28 Offences by bodies corporate

29 Application to unincorporated associations

30 Application to partnerships

Supplementary provision

31 Consequential and related amendments

32 Regulations under Chapter 1

33 Interpretation of Chapter 1

CHAPTER 2 Illegal working

Offences

34 Offence of illegal working

35 Offence of employing illegal worker

Illegal working in licensed premises

36 Licensing Act 2003: amendments relating to illegal working

Illegal working in relation to private hire vehicles etc

37 Private hire vehicles etc

Illegal working notices and orders

38 Illegal working closure notices and illegal working compliance orders

PART 2
Access to services

39 Offence of leasing premises

40 Eviction

41 Order for possession of dwelling-house

42 Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

43 Powers to carry out searches relating to driving licences

44 Offence of driving when unlawfully in the United Kingdom

45 Bank accounts

PART 3
Enforcement

46 Powers in connection with examination, detention and removal

47 Search of premises in connection with imposition of civil penalty

48 Seizure and retention in relation to offences

49 Duty to pass on items seized under section 48

50 Retention of things seized under Part 3 of the Immigration Act 1971

51 Search for nationality documents by detainee custody officers etc

52 Seizure of nationality documents by detainee custody officers etc

53 Amendments relating to sections 51 and 52

54 Amendments to search warrant provisions

55 Supply of information to Secretary of State

56 Detention by immigration officers in Scotland

57 Powers to take fingerprints etc. from dependants

58 Interpretation of Part

59 Guidance on detention of vulnerable persons

60 Limitation on detention of pregnant women

61 Immigration bail

62 Power to cancel leave extended under section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971

PART 4
Appeals

63 Appeals within the United Kingdom: certification of human rights claims

64 Continuation of leave: repeals

65 Deemed refusal of leave to enter: repeals

PART 5
Support etc for certain categories of migrant

66 Support for certain categories of migrant

67 Unaccompanied refugee children: relocation and support

68 Availability of local authority support

69 Transfer of responsibility for relevant children

70 Duty to provide information for the purposes of transfers of responsibility

71 Request for transfer of responsibility for relevant children

72 Scheme for transfer of responsibility for relevant children

73 Extension to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

PART 6
Border security

74 Penalties relating to airport control areas

75 Maritime enforcement

76 Persons excluded from the United Kingdom under international obligations

PART 7
Language requirements for public sector workers

77 English language requirements for public sector workers

78 Meaning of “public authority”

79 Power to expand meaning of person working for public authority

80 Duty to issue codes of practice

81 Procedure for codes of practice

82 Application of Part to Wales

83 Interpretation of Part

84 Crown application

PART 8
Fees and charges

85 Immigration skills charge

86 Power to make passport fees regulations

87 Passport fees regulations: supplemental

88 Power to charge for passport validation services

89 Civil registration fees

PART 9
Miscellaneous and general

90 Duty regarding the welfare of children

91 Financial provisions

92 Transitional and consequential provision

93 Regulations

94 Commencement

95 Extent

96 Short title

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 Persons to whom Director etc may disclose information

SCHEDULE 2 Functions in relation to labour market

SCHEDULE 3 Consequential and related amendments

SCHEDULE 4 Licensing Act 2003: amendments relating to illegal working

SCHEDULE 5 Private hire vehicles etc

SCHEDULE 6 Illegal working closure notices and illegal working compliance orders

SCHEDULE 7 Bank accounts

SCHEDULE 8 Amendments to search warrant provisions

SCHEDULE 9 Duty to supply nationality documents to Secretary of State: persons to whom duty applies

SCHEDULE 10 Immigration bail

SCHEDULE 11 Support for certain categories of migrant

SCHEDULE 12 Availability of local authority support

SCHEDULE 13 Penalties relating to airport control areas

SCHEDULE 14 Maritime enforcement

SCHEDULE 15 Civil registration fees

SCHEDULES

Section 31

Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)

1

In the Public Records Act 1958, in Schedule 1 (definition of public records), in Part 2 of the Table at the end of paragraph 3 (other establishments and organisations), for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”.

Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)

2

In the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967, in Schedule 2 (departments etc subject to investigation)—

(a)

at the appropriate place insert “Director of Labour Market Enforcement”;

(b)

for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”.

Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)

3

In the Superannuation Act 1972, in Schedule 1 (kinds of employment to which that Act applies)—

(a)

under the heading “Other bodies”, for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”;

(b)

under the heading “Offices”, at the appropriate place insert “Director of Labour Market Enforcement”.

Employment Agencies Act 1973 (c. 35)

4

(1)

Section 9 of the Employment Agencies Act 1973 (inspection) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (4)—

(a)

in paragraph (a), for the words before sub-paragraph (i) substitute “No information to which this subsection applies shall be disclosed except—”;

(b)

at the end of paragraph (a) insert “; or

(vii)

to an officer acting by virtue of section 26 of the Immigration Act 2016 (investigative functions in connection with labour market enforcement undertakings and orders); or

(viii)

to an officer acting for the purposes of Part 2 of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 for any purpose relating to that Part; or

(ix)

to the Pensions Regulator for the purposes of the exercise of any function of the Regulator; or

(x)

to the Care Quality Commission for the purposes of the exercise of any function of the Commission.”

(3)

After subsection (4) insert—

“(5)

Subsection (4) applies to—

(a)

information obtained in the course of exercising the powers conferred by this section,

(b)

information obtained pursuant to section 15(5A) of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, and

(c)

information obtained in the course of exercising powers by virtue of section 26(1) of the Immigration Act 2016 (investigative functions in connection with labour market enforcement undertakings and orders).”

House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)

5

In the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975, in Schedule 1 (offices disqualifying for membership)—

(a)

in Part 2 (bodies of which all members are disqualified), for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”;

(b)

in Part 3 (other disqualifying offices), at the appropriate place insert “Director of Labour Market Enforcement”.

Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)

6

In the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975, in Schedule 1 (offices disqualifying for membership)—

(a)

in Part 2 (bodies of which all members are disqualified), for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”;

(b)

in Part 3 (other disqualifying offices), at the appropriate place insert “Director of Labour Market Enforcement”.

National Minimum Wage Act 1998 (c. 39)

7

(1)

Section 15 of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 (information obtained by officers) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (1)—

(a)

after “to” insert “—

(a)”;

(b)

at the end insert “, and

(b)

any information obtained by an officer acting by virtue of section 26(2) of the Immigration Act 2016 (investigative functions in connection with labour market enforcement undertakings and orders).”

(3)

After subsection (5B) insert—

“(5C)

Information to which this section applies—

(a)

may be supplied by, or with the authorisation of, the Secretary of State to an officer acting by virtue of section 26 of the Immigration Act 2016 (investigative functions in connection with labour market enforcement undertakings and orders); and

(b)

may be used by an officer so acting for any purpose for which the officer is so acting.”

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (c. 23)

8

In the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, in Schedule 1 (relevant public authorities), in Part 1 (relevant authorities for purposes of sections 28 and 29 of that Act) in paragraph 20E for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”.

Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36)

9

In the Freedom of Information Act 2000, in Schedule 1 (public authorities), in Part 6 (other public bodies and offices: general)—

(a)

at the appropriate place insert “Director of Labour Market Enforcement”;

(b)

for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”.

Police Reform Act 2002 (c. 30)

10

The Police Reform Act 2002 is amended as follows.

11

In section 10 (general functions of the Independent Police Complaints Commission)—

(a)

in subsection (1), after paragraph (g) insert—

“(ga)

to carry out such corresponding functions in relation to officers of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority in their capacity as labour abuse prevention officers (see section 114B of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE powers for labour abuse prevention officers)).”;

(b)

in subsection (3), after paragraph (bc) insert—

“(bd)

any regulations under section 26D of this Act (labour abuse prevention officers);”.

12

After section 26C insert—

“26DLabour abuse prevention officers

(1)

The Secretary of State may make regulations conferring functions on the Commission in relation to the exercise of functions by officers of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (the “Authority”) in their capacity as labour abuse prevention officers (see section 114B of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE powers for labour abuse prevention officers)).

(2)

Regulations under this section may, in particular—

(a)

apply (with or without modifications), or make provision similar to, any provision of or made under this Part;

(b)

make provision for payment by the Authority to, or in respect of, the Commission.

(3)

The Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration may jointly investigate a matter in relation to which—

(a)

the Commission has functions by virtue of this section, and

(b)

the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration has functions by virtue of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967.

(4)

An officer of the Authority may disclose information to the Commission, or to a person acting on the Commission’s behalf, for the purposes of the exercise by the Commission, or by any person acting on the Commission’s behalf, of an Authority complaints function.

(5)

The Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration may disclose information to each other for the purposes of the exercise of a function—

(a)

by virtue of this section, or

(b)

under the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967.

(6)

Regulations under this section may, in particular, make—

(a)

further provision about the disclosure of information under subsection (4) or (5);

(b)

provision about the further disclosure of information that has been so disclosed.

(7)

In this section “Authority complaints function” means a function in relation to the exercise of functions by officers of the Authority.”

Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 (c. 11)

13

The Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 is amended as follows.

14

In the italic heading before section 1, for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”.

15

In section 1 (Gangmasters Licensing Authority)—

(a)

in the heading, for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”;

(b)

for subsection (1) substitute—

“(1)

The body known as the Gangmasters Licensing Authority is to continue to exist and is to be known as the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (in this Act referred to as “the Authority”).”;

(c)

after subsection (3) insert—

“(3A)

When carrying out functions during a year to which a labour market enforcement strategy approved under section 2 of the Immigration Act 2016 relates, the Authority and its officers must carry out those functions in accordance with the strategy.”

16

In section 2 (directions etc by the Secretary of State), in subsection (2) after “the Authority” insert “and the Director of Labour Market Enforcement”.

17

In section 3 (work to which Act applies)—

(a)

in subsection (5)(b), for the words from “the following nature” to the end substitute “a prescribed description as being work to which this Act applies”;

(b)

after subsection (5) insert—

“(6)

The Secretary of State must consult the Authority and the Director of Labour Market Enforcement before making regulations under subsection (5).”

18

In section 8 (general power of Authority to make rules)—

(a)

in subsection (1), after “may” insert “with the approval of the Secretary of State”;

(b)

omit subsection (3).

19

In section 14 (offences: supplementary provisions) after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A)

Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to an enforcement officer who is acting for the purposes of this Act in relation to England and Wales if the officer is a labour abuse prevention officer within the meaning of section 114B of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE powers for labour abuse prevention officers).”

20

In section 15 (enforcement and compliance officers) after subsection (6) insert—

“(6A)

Subsections (5) and (6) do not apply to an enforcement officer who is acting for the purposes of this Act in relation to England and Wales if the officer is a labour abuse prevention officer within the meaning of section 114B of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE powers for labour abuse prevention officers).”

21

In section 16 (powers of officers) before subsection (1) insert—

“A1

This section does not apply to an enforcement officer who is acting for the purposes of this Act in relation to England and Wales if the officer is a labour abuse prevention officer within the meaning of section 114B of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE powers for labour abuse prevention officers).”

22

In section 17 (entry by warrant) before subsection (1) insert—

“A1

This section does not apply to an enforcement officer who is acting for the purposes of this Act in relation to England and Wales if the officer is a labour abuse prevention officer within the meaning of section 114B of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE powers for labour abuse prevention officers).”

23

(1)

Section 19 (information relating to gangmasters) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (1)—

(a)

for the words before paragraph (a) substitute “Information to which this subsection applies—”;

(b)

for paragraph (a) substitute—

“(a)

may be supplied to any person for use for the purposes of, or for any purpose connected with, the exercise of functions under this Act,

(aa)

may be supplied to any person by whom, or by whose officers, labour market enforcement functions are exercisable for the purposes of, or for any purpose connected with, the exercise of such functions, and”.

(3)

After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A)

Subsection (1) applies to—

(a)

information held by any person for the purposes of, or for any purpose connected with, the exercise of functions under this Act, and

(b)

information held by any officer acting by virtue of section 26(3) of the Immigration Act 2016 (investigative functions in connection with labour market enforcement undertakings and orders).

(1B)

In subsection (1) “labour market enforcement functions” has the same meaning as in Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Immigration Act 2016 (see section 3 of that Act).”

(4)

In subsection (2)—

(a)

omit “relating to the operations of a person acting as a gangmaster”;

(b)

for “(1)(b)” substitute “(1)(aa) or (b)”.

24

(1)

Schedule 2 (application of Act to Northern Ireland) is amended as follows.

(2)

In the italic heading before paragraph 3, for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”.

(3)

In paragraph 6—

(a)

after “work in Northern Ireland,” insert “—

(a)”;

(b)

at the end insert “, and

(b)

the requirement under subsection (2) of that section to consult the Director of Labour Market Enforcement is to be ignored.”

(4)

In paragraph 7, for paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b)

paragraph (b) is to be read as if for “work of a prescribed description as being work to which this Act applies” there were substituted “work of the following nature as being work to which this Act applies—

(i)

the gathering (by any manner) of wild creatures, or wild plants, of a prescribed description and the processing and packaging of anything so gathered, and

(ii)

the harvesting of fish from a fish farm (within the meaning of the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966 (c 17 (NI)).”

(5)

In paragraph 10, for sub-paragraph (2) substitute—

“(2)

Section 8(1) as it applies in relation to Northern Ireland licences is to be read as if the words “with the approval of the Secretary of State” were omitted.

(3)

The Authority must consult the relevant Northern Ireland department before making any Northern Ireland rules about fees.”

(6)

After paragraph 16 insert—

“Section 19: Information relating to gangmasters

16A

(1)

Section 19 as it applies in relation to Northern Ireland functions is to be read as if—

(a)

paragraph (aa) of subsection (1) (and the reference to it in subsection (2)) were omitted,

(b)

subsections (1A)(b) and (1B) were omitted, and

(c)

in subsection (2), after “Information” there were inserted the words “relating to the operations of a person acting as a gangmaster”.

(2)

In this paragraph “Northern Ireland functions” means functions under this Act in connection with persons acting as gangmasters in Northern Ireland or persons acting as gangmasters in relation to work in Northern Ireland.

Section 22A: Relationship with other agencies: requests for assistance

16B

Section 22A does not apply in relation to the Authority’s functions in connection with persons acting as gangmasters in Northern Ireland or persons acting as gangmasters in relation to work in Northern Ireland.”

Pensions Act 2004 (c. 35)

25

In the Pensions Act 2004, in Schedule 3 (certain permitted disclosures of restricted information held by the Pensions Regulator), at the end of the table insert—

“Director of Labour Market Enforcement or a member of staff provided to the Director under section 1(4) of the Immigration Act 2016.

Any of the Director’s functions.”

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16)

26

In the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, in Schedule 7 (designated bodies), in paragraph 13, for “Gangmasters’ Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”.

Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (c. 13)

27

In the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008, in Schedule 5 (designated regulators), for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”.

Modern Slavery Act 2015 (c. 30)

28

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is amended as follows.

29

In section 52 (duty to notify Secretary of State about suspected victims of slavery or human trafficking), in subsection (5)(k), for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”.

30

At the beginning of Part 7, after the italic heading “Miscellaneous” insert—

“54AGangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority: information gateways

(1)

A specified person may disclose information to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (the “Authority”) or a relevant officer if the disclosure is made for the purposes of the exercise of any function of the Authority or the officer under this Act.

(2)

Information obtained by the Authority or a relevant officer in connection with the exercise of any function of the Authority or the officer under this Act may be used by the Authority or the officer in connection with the exercise of any other such function of the Authority or the officer.

(3)

The Authority or a relevant officer may disclose to a specified person information obtained in connection with the exercise of any function of the Authority or the officer under this Act if the disclosure is made for the purposes of the exercise of any function of the specified person.

(4)

A disclosure of information which is authorised by this section does not breach—

(a)

an obligation of confidence owed by the person making the disclosure, or

(b)

any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(5)

But nothing in this section authorises the making of a disclosure which—

(a)

contravenes the Data Protection Act 1998, or

(b)

is prohibited by Part 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

(6)

This section does not limit the circumstances in which information may be disclosed apart from this section.

(7)

“Specified person” means a person specified in Schedule 4A (information gateways: specified persons).

(8)

The Secretary of State may by regulations amend Schedule 4A.

(9)

In this section, “relevant officer” means an officer of the Authority who is acting for the purposes of Part 1 or 2 of this Act (see sections 11A and 30A).”

31

Omit section 55 (review of Gangmasters Licensing Authority).

32

In section 58 (regulations), in subsection (4), after paragraph (j) insert—

“(ja)

regulations under section 54A(8) (power to amend Schedule 4A);”.

33

In section 60 (extent)—

(a)

in subsection (1), after “section 53)” insert “and section 54A, and Schedule 4A, in Part 7”;

(b)

in subsection (3), after “and 7” insert “(except for section 54A and Schedule 4A)”.

34

In Schedule 3 (public authorities under duty to co-operate with the Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner), for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”.

35

After Schedule 4 insert—

“SCHEDULE 4AInformation gateways: specified persons

Section 54A

Authorities with functions in connection with the labour market etc

  • The Secretary of State.

  • A person by whom, or by whose officers, labour market enforcement functions (within the meaning given by section 3 of the Immigration Act 2016) are exercisable.

Law enforcement and border security

  • A chief officer of police for a police area in England and Wales.

  • The chief constable of the British Transport Police Force.

  • An immigration officer.

Local government

  • A county council in England or Wales.

  • A county borough council in Wales.

  • A district council in England.

  • A London borough council.

  • The Greater London Authority.

  • The Common Council of the City of London.

  • The Council of the Isles of Scilly.

Health bodies

  • A National Health Service trust established under section 25 of the National Health Service Act 2006 or section 18 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006.

  • An NHS foundation trust within the meaning given by section 30 of the National Health Service Act 2006.

  • A Local Health Board established under section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006.

Other

  • The Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner.”

Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 2) (N.I.)

36

In the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015, in Schedule 3 (slavery and trafficking prevention orders), in Part 3 (supplementary) in paragraph 18(7)(e), for “Gangmasters Licensing Authority” substitute “Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority”.