In a significant move to tackle illegal working, the UK government has ramped up its immigration enforcement efforts, leading to over 6,000 arrests and 9,000 visits since the election. This surge is part of a broader strategy by the Home Office to dismantle the illegal working trade and disrupt organized immigration crime. By increasing enforcement activities, the government aims to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation while holding employers accountable.
Increased Enforcement Efforts and Arrests
Since July 5 last year, Immigration Enforcement teams have carried out 9,000 visits, resulting in 6,410 arrests. This represents a 51% rise in arrests compared to the previous year, showing a significant increase in the government’s efforts to clamp down on illegal working. The focus has been on employers who exploit migrants by offering illegal work with poor conditions and below-minimum wages. Targeted businesses have included restaurants, nail bars, and construction sites, all known to be hotspots for illegal workers.
Protecting Vulnerable Migrants from Exploitation
The government’s crackdown aims not only to catch illegal workers but also to protect vulnerable people who are often subjected to inhumane working conditions. Migrants often face squalid living situations, illegal working hours, and minimal pay, all while being deceived by smuggling gangs who falsely promise jobs in the UK. As part of the enforcement efforts, the government is targeting both the workers and employers involved in these illegal activities.
The enforcement also forms part of the broader “Plan for Change” initiative, which aims to restore control over the immigration system. This includes the return of nearly 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK and increased checks to prevent further illegal entries.
Tougher Penalties for Employers
Employers who fail to carry out proper “Right to Work” checks face severe consequences. Under the new laws, businesses that hire illegal workers could face penalties as high as £60,000 per worker. In addition, employers risk director disqualifications and prison sentences of up to five years. The government is determined to ensure that these actions are no longer tolerated and that employers are held responsible for enabling illegal working practices.
Notable Enforcement Operations
The surge in enforcement has led to several high-profile operations. One such operation occurred in March when officers made 36 arrests at a construction site in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. These arrests were related to a range of offenses, from breaching visa conditions to illegal entry into the UK. In another instance, 9 arrests were made at a caravan park in Surrey, where individuals were found working illegally as delivery drivers in the gig economy.
Additionally, in Bradford, officers intercepted a popular illegal working pickup point in Naples Street, arresting 9 individuals. These coordinated operations are a testament to the hard work and skill of the enforcement teams across the country.
The Government’s Plan for Change
The crackdown on illegal working is a crucial part of the government’s efforts to restore order to the immigration system. By extending Right to Work checks to gig economy workers and those in sectors like construction, food delivery, beauty salons, and courier services, the government is seeking to eliminate the exploitation of illegal workers. The tougher laws aim to make it harder for individuals to be employed illegally, especially in high-risk sectors where workers are more vulnerable to exploitation.
The surge in immigration enforcement activity reflects the UK government’s commitment to dismantling illegal working networks and protecting vulnerable migrants from exploitation. By ramping up operations, targeting unscrupulous employers, and introducing tougher laws, the government is taking significant steps to restore control over its immigration system. The rise in arrests and visits is a clear indication of the government’s determination to ensure that illegal working no longer undermines the UK’s border security and immigration system.
