The Labour government has intensified its efforts against illegal employment, conducting a series of nationwide raids targeting businesses suspected of hiring unauthorized workers. In January 2025, the Home Office reported 509 arrests across 828 business premises—a 73% increase from the previous year. This surge is part of a broader strategy to address illegal work, particularly among migrants arriving via small boats.
The crackdown has focused on sectors such as car washes, nail bars, convenience stores, and takeaways, where illegal employment is prevalent. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling this issue, stating that intensified operations are underway to target employers exploiting and facilitating illegal working in the UK.
Since July, nearly 4,000 individuals have been arrested in connection with illegal working, with over 5,400 businesses raided. Many of those detained are migrants who have overstayed their visas or arrived via small boats, often working in substandard conditions. Employers found hiring unauthorized workers face substantial fines, with 1,090 civil penalty notices issued since July.
The government has also reported the deportation of nearly 19,000 migrants since July, including failed asylum seekers, irregular immigrants, and foreign criminals. This approach aims to demonstrate Labour’s firm stance on migration amid political pressure from right-wing parties advocating for stricter immigration controls.
However, these measures have drawn criticism from migrant advocacy groups and within the Labour Party itself, with concerns that the crackdown may echo the previous “hostile environment” policies. Critics argue that such actions could lead to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and call for a more compassionate and orderly immigration system.
The government is also preparing to introduce the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which proposes stricter measures, including seizing traffickers’ phones and abolishing the contested Safety of Rwanda Act. This legislation is part of a broader effort to enhance border security and address illegal immigration.
Bas Javid, Director General of Immigration Enforcement at the Home Office, has warned against patronizing cash-only businesses such as nail bars, barbers, and car washes, suggesting that they may contribute to illegal immigration and modern slavery. He emphasized the importance of public awareness in combating these issues, noting that such establishments often exploit vulnerable individuals.
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