UK Government Cracks Down on Illegal Working with Significant Arrest Increases

The UK government has announced a significant increase in enforcement action against illegal working, resulting in the highest number of arrests since records began. As part of Operation Sterling, the government invested £5 million into Immigration Enforcement to target and dismantle networks of illegal workers in various industries, including takeaways, beauty salons, and car washes. The new figures reveal a 63% increase in arrests and a 51% increase in visits year on year, with over 8,000 illegal migrants arrested and 1,050 foreign nationals removed from the country.

Key Takeaways:

• The UK government has invested £5 million into Immigration Enforcement as part of Operation Sterling to target and dismantle networks of illegal workers.
• The number of arrests has increased by 63% and visits by 51% year on year, with over 8,000 illegal migrants arrested.
• Over 1,050 foreign nationals have been removed from the country as a result of the operations.
• The government is expanding right to work checks to cover categories of employers with higher levels of illegal migrants, including gig economy employers.
• Employers who fail to conduct these checks could be jailed for up to five years, face fines of £60,000 per illegal worker, and have their businesses closed.
• The new laws will close a loophole that has allowed companies to ignore immigration rules, particularly in the gig, casual, subcontracted, and temporary worker economy.

Statistics:

• 8,000+ illegal migrants arrested
• 1,050+ foreign nationals removed from the country
• 63% increase in arrests year on year
• 51% increase in visits year on year
• £5 million invested into Immigration Enforcement as part of Operation Sterling
• £60,000 fine per illegal worker for employers who fail to conduct checks

Sources:

• [Home Office, supporting the Prime Minister, c.2024]
• [Shabana Mahmood, Home Secretary, c.2024]