Britain announced on Tuesday that arrests for illegal working have risen by 63% this year compared to last, following intensified crackdowns in sectors such as food delivery, beauty salons, and car washes. The move is part of a broader government effort to curb illegal migration.
The Labour government, which has seen its popularity decline since taking office last year amid growing public concern over immigration, has come under pressure from the populist Reform UK party to take stronger action against illegal entry and employment.
“Illegal working acts as a pull factor for people trying to enter the UK unlawfully,” said Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood. “That stops now.”
According to the Home Office, Immigration Enforcement officers arrested more than 8,000 individuals for illegal working in the 12 months to September 2025 — a 63% increase from the previous year. Over 1,050 of those detained have already been removed from the UK.
Surveys indicate that immigration remains one of the top issues for British voters, second only to the cost of living crisis. The government’s stepped-up enforcement against illegal employment is a key component of its wider strategy to control illegal migration.
In September, Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled another measure under the plan — a proposal to introduce mandatory digital identity cards for all workers.
However, some human rights groups have criticized the government’s tougher approach, warning that it risks fuelling discrimination and hostility towards migrants and ethnically diverse communities in Britain.
