Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced a record-breaking surge in illegal working enforcement activity this January, as the Home Office intensifies efforts to combat immigration system abuse.
Under its Plan for Change, the government is taking decisive action to restore order to the UK’s immigration system. The increase in enforcement operations is a key strategy in identifying, disrupting, and addressing irregular migration across the country.
Following the government’s initiative to expand its enforcement workforce, last month saw the highest level of enforcement activity for any January in over five years.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated: “Immigration rules must be upheld and enforced. For too long, employers have been able to hire and exploit illegal workers, while enforcement actions remained inadequate.
This not only encourages dangerous Channel crossings, risking lives, but also leads to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, abuse of the immigration system, and economic disruption.
“That is why, under our Plan for Change, we are ramping up enforcement to record levels alongside introducing tough new legislation to dismantle criminal gangs that threaten our border security and have operated unchecked for too long.”
Illegal Working Enforcement in Numbers
In January alone, Immigration Enforcement teams targeted 828 business premises, including nail salons, convenience stores, restaurants, and car washes—marking a 48% increase from the previous January. Arrests surged to 609, a 73% rise compared to 352 in the same period last year.
Between 5 July last year and 31 January, illegal working visits and arrests rose by approximately 38% compared to the previous 12 months. During this time, the Home Office issued 1,090 civil penalty notices. Employers found liable could face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.
Employer Compliance Reminder
This latest enforcement drive reinforces the Home Office’s commitment to strict compliance and its readiness to take action against employers who violate immigration laws.
Employers are urged to conduct proper right-to-work checks as part of their legal obligations under UK immigration rules. Every employer in the UK is responsible for preventing illegal working, and failure to carry out the correct checks can result in severe consequences for businesses.
Additionally, employers holding a Home Office sponsor licence must fully understand and adhere to their sponsorship duties when managing a migrant workforce.