Recruitment firms will be banned from hiring workers from overseas without advertising in Britain and in English, under Government plans.

Ministers are also consulting on a new criminal offence to tackle unscrupulous employers who subject migrant staff to illegal working conditions and pay.

A new Director of Labour Market Enforcement is also being proposed as well as police-style powers for the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "To ignore the pool of talent in the UK wastes the potential of British people who want the dignity of a job and the security of a pay cheque.

"This one nation government is committed to making sure our economy delivers for people who want to work hard and get on in life.

"We will also protect migrant workers who are duped into working in the UK and then exploited by rogue businesses. Their unscrupulous practices undercut firms who play by the rules."

Minister for Immigration James Brokenshire added: "We will make Britain a fairer, and safer place for employees by introducing new and improved protections for workers."

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Better co-ordination between labour enforcement agencies could be helpful, but only if properly funded. There should be no hiding place for cheapskate bosses who try to cheat their workers out of their rights.

"The proposed director of labour market enforcement must have sufficient resources and a broad enough remit to ensure that all workers receive at least the national minimum wage and basic employment rights."