A nationwide crackdown on businesses employing workers illegally has led to a significant rise in arrests, according to new figures released by the Home Office today.
Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams have ramped up operations across the UK, targeting sectors like nail bars, supermarkets, construction, and car washes. Between 5 July and 31 October 2024, enforcement teams conducted 3,188 visits and made 2,299 arrests, marking a 25% increase in arrests compared to the same period last year.
During November’s “Operation Tornado,” officers carried out 235 targeted visits, arresting 154 individuals suspected of working illegally. More than 50 businesses received civil penalty referral notices worth up to £4 million, potentially facing penalties of £60,000 per illegal worker if found guilty of failing to perform proper pre-employment checks.
The Home Secretary, speaking in the House of Commons today, attributed the rise in enforcement to intensified efforts under the new government, which has boosted border security measures and launched initiatives to restore order to the asylum system.
The statement highlighted plans to return individuals without the right to remain in the UK, with nearly 10,000 returns achieved since the last General Election. Additionally, the government has repurposed £290 million initially allocated to the Rwanda migration partnership to fund returns and tackle illegal employment networks.
The crackdown has also shed light on the exploitative conditions many illegal workers endure, including below-minimum-wage pay and squalid living arrangements. The government underscored the economic harm caused by rogue employers who undercut lawful businesses and evade tax obligations.
Efforts to combat broader immigration crime include a newly formed Border Security Command targeting smuggling and trafficking gangs. Recent agreements with Iraq aim to dismantle organized crime networks, complemented by a £150 million commitment announced at Interpol’s General Assembly to combat illegal migration and criminal networks behind small boat crossings.
The Home Secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting honest businesses and ensuring immigration laws are upheld to secure Britain’s borders and economy.