Crackdown on illegal working in UK leads to surge in arrests

A significant escalation in the government’s efforts to combat illegal working across the United Kingdom has led to a dramatic surge in arrests, with the Home Office reporting unprecedented levels of enforcement activity. This intensified crackdown forms a central pillar of the government’s broader strategy to deter illegal immigration, particularly in response to the increasing numbers of individuals crossing the Channel in small boats.

The Home Office announced that immigration raids on businesses suspected of employing undocumented workers have soared by an astounding 77% since the Labour party assumed power. This surge in enforcement has, in turn, led to an 83% rise in arrests of individuals found to be working without the legal right to do so. The targeted businesses span a diverse range of sectors commonly associated with the informal economy, including nail bars, car washes, barbers, and takeaways, alongside larger operations such as warehouses and construction sites.

Opposition parties have been vocal in their assertion that readily available opportunities for illegal work in the UK act as a powerful "pull factor" for migrants. This argument posits that the prospect of earning a living, even illegally, encourages individuals to undertake perilous journeys, such as crossing the Channel in small boats. The scale of this challenge is underscored by recent figures: more than 41,000 people made the dangerous crossing in 2025, marking the highest number since 2022 and an increase of nearly 5,000 compared to the previous year. This grim statistic fuels the political debate surrounding immigration policy and the effectiveness of current deterrents.

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp launched a scathing critique of the government’s approach, stating unequivocally that "illegal working is booming because Labour have turned Britain into a soft touch." He further elaborated on the perceived link between illegal employment and clandestine migration, adding, "As long as people who arrive illegally can work, earn, and stay, smugglers have a sales pitch, a reward they dangle in front of those crossing the Channel." This rhetoric highlights the deep partisan divide on immigration issues and the political pressure on the government to demonstrate robust action.

While the current administration has overseen a significant acceleration, the trend of increasing arrests during immigration raids on businesses had, in fact, been on an upward trajectory even before Labour took office. However, the recent surge represents a marked intensification of these efforts. Between July 2024 and the end of December 2025, immigration enforcement teams conducted more than 17,400 raids on businesses nationwide. This staggering figure represents a 77% increase compared to the preceding 18-month period, demonstrating a deliberate and systematic ramp-up in operations. These extensive raids culminated in more than 12,300 arrests, an 83% rise over the comparative period. Of those arrested, over 1,700 individuals have subsequently been deported from the UK, underscoring the government’s commitment to removal where possible.

However, the efficacy of enforcement action as a primary deterrent for small boat crossings has been questioned by expert analysis. Dr. Peter Walsh, a senior researcher at the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, expressed skepticism, suggesting that enforcement action alone is unlikely to be a "game-changer on small boat crossings." Dr. Walsh highlighted a historical pattern where the number of detentions and removals has consistently remained far lower than the number of arrests. This disparity suggests that while raids may apprehend individuals working illegally, the subsequent legal and administrative processes often present significant hurdles to successful deportation. "Raids may lead to some increase in removals," Dr. Walsh conceded, "but they’re not the biggest source." He posited that the more significant impact of workplace enforcement is likely felt by employers, where there is substantial evidence that such actions discourage the hiring of individuals without the legal right to work, thereby tightening the labour market for undocumented migrants.

The Home Office data further revealed that arrests by immigration enforcement teams have increased across every region of the UK, indicating a nationwide effort rather than a concentrated focus on specific areas. London, as the capital and a major economic hub, recorded the largest number of arrests, with more than 2,100 individuals apprehended last year—a 47% rise compared to 2024. The West Midlands and south-west England also saw substantial increases, each registering over 1,100 arrests. This represented a 76% rise in the West Midlands and an even sharper 91% increase in the south-west, reflecting growing enforcement activity in these diverse regions.

Wales experienced a particularly dramatic increase in enforcement, with 1,320 raids carried out last year, leading to 649 arrests. These figures represent a staggering 103% rise in raids and an 85% increase in arrests, demonstrating a significant shift in immigration enforcement priorities within the nation. Scotland also saw intensified activity, with 695 raids resulting in 400 arrests, marking rises of 61% and 49% respectively. Northern Ireland, while having fewer overall numbers, recorded the most significant percentage increase in arrests: 187 raids led to 234 arrests, representing a 76% rise in raids and an astonishing 169% surge in arrests, indicating a highly effective or particularly targeted enforcement campaign.

Specific examples provided by the Home Office illustrate the nature and scale of these operations. On 25 November, a warehouse in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, was raided, leading to the arrest of 13 people. Among them, 11 Brazilian and Romanian nationals were detained, facing removal from the UK. Another high-profile operation occurred on 16 December at a construction site in Swindon, where 30 Indian and Albanian men were arrested, with nearly all subsequently detained for removal. Further demonstrating the breadth of targets, a raid on a market at Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey on 11 December resulted in 11 arrests. These examples highlight the varied sectors and nationalities involved in illegal working and the operational capabilities of immigration enforcement teams.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reiterated the government’s unwavering stance on illegal working, stating, "There is no place for illegal working in our communities." She emphasized the unprecedented scale of the current enforcement drive: "That is why we have surged enforcement activity to the highest level in British history so illegal migrants in the black economy have nowhere to hide." The Home Secretary concluded with a firm commitment to border control, asserting, "I will stop at nothing to restore order and control to our borders." This strong language underscores the political imperative driving the crackdown.

The surge in raids was directly facilitated by an additional £5 million of funding allocated to Immigration Enforcement last year, allowing for increased operational capacity and personnel. Looking ahead, the government is also planning a significant technological overhaul to further combat illegal working. By 2029, a new mandatory digital ID system will be introduced, requiring individuals to prove their right to work through a digital platform. This initiative aims to create a more robust and fraud-resistant system for employment checks, making it significantly harder for migrants to work illegally and for employers to knowingly or unknowingly facilitate such activities. The introduction of digital ID represents a long-term strategic investment in making the UK a less attractive destination for those seeking to exploit the black economy.

This comprehensive crackdown reflects a multifaceted approach to migration management, combining immediate enforcement actions with longer-term systemic changes. While the surge in arrests demonstrates the government’s resolve, the broader impact on illegal migration flows and the UK’s labour market will continue to be closely monitored and debated. The tension between robust enforcement, economic realities, and humanitarian concerns remains a central challenge in the ongoing discourse surrounding immigration policy.