Hundreds of illegal immigrants have found work in British care homes, according to a leaked Government report.
Officials found that they included a suspected murderer and other criminals, it said.
The Home Office was accused of "turning a blind eye" to the matter after it was highlighted in the document three years ago.
The report found that the employment of illegal immigrants to care for the elderly was "widespread" and "significant," following investigations into 110 suspected cases.
It suggested more than half of employees in some care homes were illegal immigrants.
Among their number was a Filipino suspected of murder who was working at a home in Plymouth.
The Sunday Times, which obtained the report, said officials had complained that their findings had been largely ignored.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "The Home Office is turning a blind eye and allowing some of the most vulnerable people to be put in the care of people who by definition cannot have a criminal records check."
Immigration minister Liam Byrne said: "This report appears to pre-date the huge shake-up of the Border and Immigration Agency over the last year and a half.
"Every visa applicant around the world is now fingerprinted before they reach here, ID cards become compulsory for all foreign nationals from November and £10,000 on-the-spot fines are now in place for any illegal workers."
Officials found that they included a suspected murderer and other criminals, it said.
The Home Office was accused of "turning a blind eye" to the matter after it was highlighted in the document three years ago.
The report found that the employment of illegal immigrants to care for the elderly was "widespread" and "significant," following investigations into 110 suspected cases.
It suggested more than half of employees in some care homes were illegal immigrants.
Among their number was a Filipino suspected of murder who was working at a home in Plymouth.
The Sunday Times, which obtained the report, said officials had complained that their findings had been largely ignored.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "The Home Office is turning a blind eye and allowing some of the most vulnerable people to be put in the care of people who by definition cannot have a criminal records check."
Immigration minister Liam Byrne said: "This report appears to pre-date the huge shake-up of the Border and Immigration Agency over the last year and a half.
"Every visa applicant around the world is now fingerprinted before they reach here, ID cards become compulsory for all foreign nationals from November and £10,000 on-the-spot fines are now in place for any illegal workers."
Comment