The controversy surrounding deportation footage comes as Parliament debates the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill
Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, defended the government’s actions, saying, “To rebuild public confidence in the immigration system, we need to show the rules are respected and enforced. That’s why, as part of the government’s plan for change, we have put significant additional resources into immigration enforcement and returns, so those who have no right to be here, particularly those who have committed crimes in our country, are removed as swiftly as possible.”
The government also released footage over the weekend of immigration raids targeting illegal workers, a move that has been criticised by Labour MP Diane Abbott. She warned against adopting a “Reform-lite” approach, arguing that it could alienate Labour’s core voters rather than win back those drawn to Farage’s party.
The controversy surrounding deportation footage comes as Parliament debates the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill. The proposed legislation aims to introduce new offenses and counter-terror-style powers to crack down on human traffickers facilitating illegal crossings via the English Channel.
With the threat of Reform UK looming over mainstream parties, both Labour and the Conservatives are under pressure to address immigration concerns without alienating voters. The debate over how to balance firm immigration controls with human rights considerations is likely to intensify in the coming months.
To rebuild public confidence in the immigration system, we need to show the rules are respected and enforced
Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary
As MPs continue to discuss the bill, opposition voices warn that tough rhetoric and publicised enforcement measures may do little to solve the root causes of migration while contributing to an increasingly hostile political climate. The debate surrounding immigration enforcement, public perception, and political strategy remains a divisive issue in the UK. With the Home Office standing firm on its policies and Labour figures warning against a drift toward harsher measures, the coming months will likely see further scrutiny of how the government handles migration challenges.
Throughout January alone, Immigration Enforcement teams descended on 828 premises, including nail bars, convenience stores, restaurants and car washes, marking a 48% rise compared to the previous January. Arrests also surged to 609, demonstrating a 73% increase from just 352 the previous year.
More broadly, between 5 July last year and 31 January, both illegal working visits and arrests have soared by around 38% compared to the same 12 months prior. During the same period, the Home Office issued a total of 1,090 civil penalty notices. Employers could face a fine of up to £60,000 per worker if found liable.
In many cases, those who come to the UK and end up working illegally are sold false promises about their ability to live and work in the UK, creating a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel on a small boat.
In reality, illegal working is inextricably linked to squalid living conditions, little to no pay and inhumane working hours. By paying so little, rogue employers often attempt to avoid paying their fair share in taxes to contribute to the economy and undercut honest competitors who follow the law. Under its Plan for Change, the government is delivering steadfast action to restore order to the UK immigration system and the surge in enforcement activity to crack down on illegal working is a vital cog in the government’s wider machine to identify, disrupt and tackle irregular migration across the country.
While enforcement teams respond to illegal working intelligence in all sectors, a significant proportion of last month’s activity took place at restaurants, takeaways and cafes as well as in the food, drink and tobacco industry. An operation in Cheshire to vape shops led to 10 immigration arrests and 2 criminal arrests for counterfeit documents, with civil penalty referral notices being made to employers, and a visit to an Indian restaurant in Humberside led to 7 arrests and 4 detentions. Elsewhere, in South London, a visit to a grocery warehouse resulted in 6 arrests and 4 people being detained.
As part of this activity, Immigrant Enforcement play a critical safeguarding role, working closely with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and other organisations to allow employees to report labour exploitation.
Border Security is central to the government’s Plan for Change and, alongside enforcement activity, the Home Office is ramping up returns of individuals with no right to be in the UK. Just last month, the department smashed its target to drive the removal of foreign criminals and immigration offenders to the highest level since 2018, with 16,400 people removed since the election. This figure is expected to go up later today when the Home Office publishes updated figures running to the end of January.
Since July, charter flights have also removed immigration offenders to countries around the world, including 4 of the biggest returns flights in the UK’s history carrying more than 800 people. Individuals removed since the election include criminals convicted of drug offences, theft, rape and murder.
