Jessica O'ConnorThe Government has announced a nationwide enforcement campaign targeting illegal working among migrants in the gig economy, with a specific focus on delivery riders.
The effort, led by the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement teams, forms part of the Government’s broader “Plan for Change” aimed at reforming immigration controls and tackling labour exploitation.
The new initiative involves a surge in enforcement activity, including raids and compliance visits across key areas identified as hotspots for illegal working.
Officers will prioritise individuals believed to be working without legal permission while residing in Government-funded accommodation or receiving financial assistance.
Under current UK law, asylum seekers are entitled to state support only if they are destitute. The Home Office has stated that individuals found working illegally while receiving such support could have their entitlements withdrawn, including accommodation and payments.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Illegal working undermines honest business and undercuts local wages — the British public will not stand for it and neither will this government.”
“Often those travelling to the UK illegally are sold a lie by the people smuggling gangs that they will be able to live and work freely in this country, when in reality they end up facing squalid living conditions, minimal pay and inhumane working hours.”
The operation will also target businesses that employ workers without legal status.
Companies found to be in breach could face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualifications, and even prison sentences of up to five years.
In the past 12 months, the government has conducted more than 10,000 enforcement visits – the highest number in a single year – leading to 7,130 arrests.
This marks a 51% increase in arrests and a 48% increase in visits compared to the previous year.
Between January and March this year alone, 748 civil penalties were issued to businesses for illegal working – an 81% increase from the same period in 2024 and the highest figure since 2016.
The Government has also proposed new legal requirements under the forthcoming Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
These would oblige all employers, including those in the gig economy, to verify the legal work status of anyone operating on their platform.
Eddy Montgomery, director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime, said: “This next step of co-ordinated activity will target those who seek to work illegally in the gig economy and exploit their status in the UK.”
The campaign follows several recent enforcement actions. In June, a joint operation in London with the Metropolitan Police led to the arrest of 20 Indian nationals suspected of illegal work, including individuals identified as overstayers and small boat arrivals.
Separate operations in Smethwick and Wisbech resulted in dozens more arrests of individuals.
In some instances, authorities also seized vehicles and uncovered additional offences, such as driving without insurance or a licence.
The Home Office has emphasised that illegal working is often linked to labour exploitation and poor living conditions.
Where individuals are found to be potential victims of modern slavery, they may be referred to the National Referral Mechanism for support.
