Surge in enforcement activity to tackle illegal working across England

Home Office enforcement officers have been ramping up activity to tackle illegal working across England, reporting a surge in raids, arrests and civil penalties since the summer of 2024.

The crackdown aimed to disrupt rogue employers who hire migrants to work illegally and exploit vulnerable people, with a particular focus on ‘high risk’ businesses such as car washes, nail bars, supermarkets and construction sites.

Targeted businesses have been subject to unannounced enforcement visits from the Home Office, which resulted in a number of arrests on staff suspected of committing illegal working offences, and employers receiving civil penalty notice referrals.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle MP said that the Home Office has deliberately increased enforcement visits since last summer’s general election, to demonstrate that the government “will not tolerate any hiding place from law enforcement”.

Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at Immigration Enforcement Eddy Montgomery said: “This activity demonstrates our laser focus on holding employers to account and safeguarding those who are made to work in squalid conditions.

I am proud of the teams across the country, for their hard work in accelerating this activity in recent months to prevent exploitation and ensure those who break the law face consequences.”

Surge in enforcement activity since July 2024

Border security is a core part of the government’s mission-driven Plan for Change. Since taking office, ministers have immediately redeployed 1,000 additional people into Immigration Enforcement.

This extra resource has led to a surge in the number of enforcement visits carried out in England since the summer, compared to the first half of the year under the previous government.

Between July and November 2024, the following enforcement activities were recorded across regions in England:

• London: 996 visits resulted in 770 arrests and 462 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals.
• East of England: 191 visits resulted in 132 arrests and 94 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals.
• Midlands: 665 visits resulted in 427 arrests and 305 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals.
• South-Central England: 260 visits resulted in 213 arrests and 165 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals.
• South-East England: 278 visits resulted in 173 arrests and 130 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals.

Employers issued with civil penalty notice referrals during these raids could face a fine of up to £60,000 per worker if found guilty.

Compliance is key for UK employers

This surge in enforcement activity demonstrates the government’s ongoing commitment to stamping out illegal working and labour exploitation in the UK.

Under the UK’s Immigration Rules, employers play a key role in preventing illegal working and abuse of the work visa routes, for example by carrying out right to work checks and complying with sponsorship duties when recruiting from overseas. The government has made it clear that unscrupulous employers who hire migrant workers illegally and exploit vulnerable people will not be tolerated, and the consequences of non-compliance are severe.  

If you have questions about compliance or any aspect of hiring migrant workers in the UK, Smith Stone Walters is here to help. To speak to a qualified immigration advisor, please contact us today.