The UK Home Office conducted raids on various establishments such as takeaways, fast food delivery services, beauty salons, and car washes, resulting in the expulsion of hundreds of individuals from the country.
According to the Home Office, there has been a significant increase of 63% in illegal working arrests, leading to the removal of over 1,050 migrants, marking the largest crackdown on record. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized that this enforcement action aims to deter individuals from attempting to enter the UK via small boats.
Ms. Mahmood stated, “Illegal working serves as an incentive for those trying to enter the country unlawfully. This practice will no longer be tolerated.
“Individuals engaged in illegal work in beauty salons, car washes, and delivery services will be apprehended, detained, and deported.
“I am committed to safeguarding Britain’s borders at all costs.” Recent laws stipulate that employers hiring illegal workers could face up to five years in prison.
Government data revealed that more than 8,000 migrants were arrested following 11,000 raids by Immigration Enforcement from October of the previous year to September 2025.
This initiative follows the government’s allocation of £5 million to Operation Sterling, specifically targeting unauthorized employment. Arrests surged by 63% within a year, accompanied by a 51% increase in inspections.
Efforts are underway to expand right-to-work verifications to prevent individuals from slipping through the cracks. Employers failing to conduct these checks may face imprisonment, fines of £60,000 per illegal worker, and potential closure of their businesses.
Current regulations mandate right-to-work checks only for companies with traditional employer-employee contracts, but there is a proposal to eliminate this loophole for casual, temporary, or subcontracted workers by requiring them to verify their eligibility.
A consultation process will solicit input from businesses on existing recruitment procedures and provide guidance on enhancing right-to-work checks.
Additionally, food delivery companies such as Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats have intensified verification processes, including real-identity and right-to-work checks, to address concerns of illegal employment through their platforms.
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