The Home Office has announced a “nationwide blitz” targeting asylum seekers who are working illegally, following political uproar over reports that some individuals living in asylum hotels have been delivering food for major gig economy platforms.
In a statement issued on Monday, the department said it would launch “a major operation to disrupt this type of criminality”, focusing on enforcement across the gig economy, particularly among delivery riders. The move comes amid rising concern from ministers over the use of shared or borrowed accounts to sidestep work restrictions placed on asylum seekers awaiting decisions on their claims.
“Strategic, intel-driven activity will bring together officers across the UK and place an increased focus on migrants suspected of working illegally whilst in taxpayer-funded accommodation or receiving financial support,” the Home Office said.
The operation follows a series of media reports and political statements drawing attention to the issue. Ten days ago, Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, posted a video on social media showing dozens of food delivery bikes and bags clustered outside an asylum hotel in London. The footage rapidly gained traction online and increased pressure on the government to act.
Major food delivery platforms, Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat, were summoned to an urgent meeting with ministers last week. In response, the companies pledged to ramp up facial verification checks to prevent the misuse of accounts by those without legal work status.
Under UK law, asylum seekers are generally prohibited from working while their claims are processed, except in limited circumstances and only for roles on the government’s shortage occupation list. Reports suggest some have been using the log-in credentials of migrants with settled status to work in the gig economy undetected.
The Home Office warned that individuals caught working illegally could face the loss of accommodation and financial support. Businesses employing people without the legal right to work could be fined up to £60,000 per worker, and may also face director disqualification or criminal prosecution.
Ministers emphasised that enforcement against illegal working had already increased since Labour took office. Immigration and asylum remain politically sensitive issues, with Reform UK and the Conservatives seeking to challenge Labour’s stance amid rising small boat crossings across the Channel.
While Labour has made progress in reducing the backlog of unprocessed asylum claims, arrivals via unauthorised routes remain a major concern. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to discuss immigration with French President Emmanuel Macron during his upcoming UK visit, with a potential “one in, one out” arrangement under consideration. The deal would see Britain return those arriving illegally to France in exchange for formally resettling asylum seekers with ties to the UK.
Home Office Secretary defends govt
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the government’s approach, saying: “We are stepping up action to combat the pull factor of illegal work. But there is no single solution to illegal migration. That’s why we’re working closely with international partners to dismantle trafficking networks and bring people smugglers to justice.”
Philp, however, criticised the government’s pace, saying: “It shouldn’t take a visit to an asylum hotel by me to shame ministers into acting. Illegal working is happening under the government’s nose, from the very hotels Yvette Cooper is using taxpayers’ money to run. I saw Deliveroo and other bikes parked in the hotel’s own compound yet all the security guard cared about was me filming.”
The coming weeks are expected to see a visible uptick in enforcement activity as the Home Office seeks to show it is taking firm action on illegal migration and work violations.
