Nationwide Clampdown on Illegal Working in the Gig Economy

The Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams are set to launch a major operation aimed at disrupting illegal working hotspots across the UK. This strategic activity will involve immigration enforcement officers from various regions and will place an increased focus on migrants suspected of working illegally in the gig economy. There have been extensive reports of people able to commence work as soon as they arrive illegally in the UK, particularly as delivery drivers. 

Key Measures

Targeting Illegal Workers:  The operation will focus on asylum seekers working illegally, particularly in the gig economy.

Asylum seekers receive government support towards housing and subsistence. This is because they would be destitute without it. Asylum seekers do not have a right to work when they first claim asylum, although they do once they are granted refugee status. As a result of the operation, anyone caught working illegally whilst in taxpayer funded accommodation or receiving financial support, will face having their support discontinued.

Employer Penalties: Businesses found employing illegal workers could face fines up to £60,000 per worker, and director disqualification. The Government is seeking to close the loophole which makes it easy for illegal workers to undertake work for businesses in the gig economy without repercussion. 

Increased Enforcement: The Government has ramped up enforcement action, with over 10,000 illegal working visits and 7,130 arrests in the past year, marking significant increases from the previous year.

This operation is part of a broader effort to strengthen UK border security and dismantle people smuggling gangs. The Government's actions include returning nearly 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK and signing landmark agreements with international partners to combat illegal migration.

Government's Stance

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasised the Government's commitment to tackling illegal working, stating:

"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."

This operation is part of a broader effort to strengthen UK border security and dismantle people smuggling gangs. The Government's actions include returning nearly 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK and signing landmark agreements with international partners to combat illegal migration.