New data shows illegal working arrests have increased by 25% since the election.
A crackdown on rogue businesses hiring people to work illegally has led to a significant rise in arrests, new figures published by the Home Office at the beginning of the month have shown.
Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams have been intensifying operational activity across the UK to stop businesses hiring people to work illegally.
In a statement to the House of Commons, on Monday 2 December, the Home Secretary confirmed that since the new government came into power in July, the number of illegal working visits increased by 34% and arrests went up 25%, compared to the same period last year.
From 5 July to 31 October 2024, operational colleagues targeting unscrupulous employers carried out 3,188 visits with 2,299 arrests. This is compared to 2,371 visits from 5 July to 31 October 2023 with 1,836 arrests.
Action to stop people suspected of working illegally has focused on nail bars, supermarkets and other relevant industries including car washes and construction.
The new figures come alongside the Home Secretary’s statement setting out the government’s plans to reduce net migration, boost Britain’s border security and restore order to the asylum system.
During one nationwide operation in November known as Operation Tornado, which targeted nail bars and convenience stores, officers carried out 235 visits and arrested 154 people suspected of working illegally. Officers also issued civil penalty referral notices worth up to £4 million to more than 50 businesses who had employed people unlawfully, making them liable for penalties of up to £60,000 per worker if found to have failed to conduct relevant pre-employment checks. People from 19 different nationalities were arrested.
In many cases, illegal workers live in squalid conditions on site, earning far below the UK National Minimum Wage and working longer hours than legally allowed. By paying so little, these rogue employers undercut honest competitors who follow the law, and these businesses often do not pay their fair share in taxes to contribute to the economy.
Alongside returns and illegal working, the Home Office has increased action to disrupt criminal smuggling networks and dissuade irregular migration.
Source: GOV.UK
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