Nearly 300 people have been arrested in a week-long nationwide operation targeting asylum seekers suspected of working illegally for delivery companies.
Between 20 and 27 July, immigration enforcement teams stopped and questioned 1,780 individuals across the UK. Of these, 280 were arrested in areas including Hillingdon (northwest London), Dumfries (Scotland) and Birmingham.
The Home Office confirmed that 89 of those arrested have been detained pending removal, while 53 are having their asylum support reviewed a process that could see their benefits reduced or withdrawn.
Officials described the initiative as an intensification week focused on illegal working hotspots, particularly within the gig economy, such as food delivery services. Immigration enforcement will receive an extra £5m from the government’s £100m border security budget to increase inspections in coming months.
Food delivery platforms Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat have pledged to strengthen identity checks and facial verification to stop individuals without work permits from operating as riders.
Border Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle said “Illegal working undermines our border security and we’re cracking down hard on it. We’ve intensified enforcement right across the UK to target those who think they can evade immigration and employment laws.”
Alongside arrests, 51 businesses including car washes and restaurants were issued penalty notices and could face heavy fines for employing people without the right to work.
Under UK rules, asylum seekers cannot work while their claims are processed, unless they have waited over a year and secured special permission. The government recently began sharing the locations of asylum hotels with delivery firms to disrupt suspected illegal working hubs.
Shadow home secretary, Chris Philp accused Labour of being too scared to deport offenders, claiming illegal working in asylum accommodation was widespread.
He said, “Labour are now boasting about arrests, but people breaking the law are still being put up in hotels and handed benefits. It’s a racket, and Labour are letting it run.”
Enforcement director Eddy Montgomery insisted officers are acting around the clock to tackle illegal working and dismantle networks exploiting the system.
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