Officers find indicator of modern slavery at hotel

An indicator of modern slavery was found at a hotel which employed six illegal workers, a Home Office report said.

The Fisherbeck Hotel in Ambleside, Cumbria, was visited by officers in January and April after the Home Office received information that illegal working was happening.

One employee told officials she received "one meal for one day and the residue from the customers food only" as payment for one day's work at the hotel, which closed in May.

The Home Office report said the findings were "concerning" and the license holder, Yatson & Co, had "deliberately overlooked the rules and laws".

Documents said out of the 16 staff encountered on two separate occasions, there were six illegal workers encountered at a four-star hotel.

In the January visit, one person hid themselves in the laundry cupboard and another person locked themselves from the inside of the laundry room, documents read.

Another worker was found leaving the rear exit.

In the April visit, one person confirmed she was cleaning for three hours a day, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

According to the Home Office report, when asked about remuneration, she stated she received: "One meal for one day, the residue from the customers’ food only."

The report adds: "This is clearly concerning and is an indicator of modern slavery."

A civil penalty of £10,000 was issued on 29 April for employing illegal workers in January, while an outcome for the visit in April is yet to be decided.

The Home Office report said: “The license holder, Yatson & Co Ltd has deliberately overlooked the rules and laws in place to prevent crime and disorder."

The report, which was submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council, asked that the premises licence was revoked.

The council and the hotel have been approached for comment.

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