Enforcement action against illegal working in the United Kingdom has escalated dramatically, with official data revealing record-breaking numbers of business visits and arrests during 2025.
Unprecedented Surge in Enforcement Activity
According to the latest Home Office figures, immigration enforcement officers carried out 12,791 visits to businesses last year. This represents a massive 57 per cent increase from the 8,122 visits conducted in 2024. The targeted establishments included nail bars, car washes, barber shops, and takeaway outlets.
Arrests linked to illegal working also reached a historic peak. In 2025, authorities apprehended 8,971 individuals, a near 59 per cent rise from the previous record of 5,647 arrests set in 2024. From those arrested last year, 1,087 people have already been removed from the country.
Government Strategy and High-Profile Operations
This intensification forms a core part of the government's strategy to deter unlawful migration and dismantle the black economy. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated: "There is no place for illegal working in our communities." She added, "I will stop at nothing to restore order and control to our borders."
The Home Office highlighted that since the Labour government came to power, activity has accelerated further. Between July 2024 and December 2025, officers made 17,483 visits and 12,322 arrests, marking increases of 77% and 83% respectively compared to the prior 18-month period.
Specific operations underscore the scale of the crackdown. On 25 November, 13 people were arrested at a warehouse in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, leading to 11 Brazilian and Romanian nationals being detained for removal. Weeks later, on 16 December, officers detained 30 Indian and Albanian men at a construction site in Swindon, Wiltshire.
Tougher Laws and Consequences for Employers
The enforcement drive is backed by legislative changes and increased funding. Immigration enforcement received a £5 million boost specifically to target illegal working in sectors like takeaways, beauty salons, and car washes. Officers have also been equipped with body-worn cameras since September to aid prosecutions.
Under the new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, right-to-work checks have been tightened. Casual, temporary, and subcontracted workers must now prove their immigration status. The penalties for non-compliant employers are severe and include:
- Fines of up to £60,000 for each illegal worker employed.
- Potential prison sentences of up to five years.
- Forced closure of the business.
Eddy Montgomery, Home Office Director for enforcement teams, warned: "We will continue to bear down on this criminality in our towns, cities and villages to ensure there is no hiding place from immigration laws."
