Move FM Global News

LONDON, U.K.: Britain has intensified its crackdown on illegal working, making 63 percent more arrests over the past year as authorities target sectors such as food delivery, beauty salons, and car washes, the government said.

The Labour government, under pressure over immigration concerns and facing challenges from the populist Reform UK party, has pledged to curb illegal migration by tightening enforcement in industries often linked to undocumented labor.

“Illegal working creates an incentive for people attempting to arrive in this country illegally. No more,” said Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood in a statement.

Between October 2024 and September 2025, Immigration Enforcement officers arrested more than 8,000 people, compared with just under 5,000 in the previous 12 months. More than 1,050 foreign nationals have since been deported, according to the Home Office.

Immigration remains one of the top concerns for British voters after the cost-of-living crisis. The Starmer government’s series of high-profile enforcement drives form part of a broader plan to reduce irregular migration and rebuild public confidence.

In September, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for a compulsory digital identity card system for all workers to prevent illegal employment.

Rights advocates, however, have warned that the government’s tougher stance risks fuelling hostility toward migrants and minority communities.

The government has focused particularly on the gig economy, where illegal and underage work has become harder to track due to account sharing on delivery platforms. Major food delivery firms — including Deliveroo, Eat, and Uber Eats — have agreed since 2023 to implement stricter controls to verify driver identities and prevent unauthorized account use.

In July, the government signed a new data-sharing agreement with the three companies to help identify asylum seekers or others working illegally.

Officials say the cooperation marks a step toward “closing loopholes” that have allowed some workers to operate outside legal frameworks.

The Home Office said further joint operations are planned in the coming months to expand inspections across other high-risk sectors such as hospitality and construction.