Gig economy targeted in sweeping enforcement drive against migrants working unlawfully
The UK government has launched a sweeping nationwide crackdown targeting illegal working in the gig economy, with a particular focus on delivery riders operating without the legal right to work.
As part of the Home Office’s “Plan for Change” to tighten border controls and overhaul the immigration system, Immigration Enforcement teams will lead a series of intelligence-led operations across the country. These efforts aim to clamp down on individuals working illegally, especially those residing in taxpayer-funded accommodation or receiving public financial support.
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the crackdown is designed to tackle a system that undermines legal businesses and exploits vulnerable individuals. “Illegal working undercuts local wages. Often, those arriving illegally are promised freedom but end up trapped in squalid conditions with minimal pay and inhumane hours,” she said.
The operation will involve joint efforts with police forces and focus on areas known for gig economy employment, such as food delivery and informal construction work. Recent enforcement activity included the arrest of 20 Indian nationals during a joint operation with the Metropolitan Police targeting illegal cash-in-hand builders using modified scooters. Another major raid in Smethwick led to 26 arrests of suspected immigration offenders, including 24 Indian nationals.
Officers will also pursue employers who knowingly hire individuals working illegally. Businesses face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker, along with the possibility of director disqualification and prison sentences of up to five years.
According to Home Office data, 10,031 illegal working visits have taken place in the past year—marking the first time this number has exceeded 10,000 in a 12-month period. These resulted in 7,130 arrests, representing year-on-year increases of 48% and 51% respectively. Between January and March alone, 748 civil penalties were issued to employers—the highest level since 2016.
Director of Enforcement, Eddy Montgomery, warned that enforcement would be stepped up further. “If you are found working illegally, we will bring the full force of the law. There will be no place to hide,” he said.
The crackdown comes alongside new legislative measures under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which will compel all employers, including those in the gig economy, to verify workers’ immigration status. The move is designed to prevent abuse of flexible working platforms.
Delivery firms including Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat have also committed to bolstering identity checks. Following discussions with the Home Office and the Department for Business and Trade, they will increase facial recognition checks to stop the misuse of delivery accounts.
The government maintains that illegal working is closely tied to exploitation, including modern slavery. Enforcement teams routinely find individuals in unsafe living conditions with no formal pay. When potential victims of exploitation are identified, they may be referred to the National Referral Mechanism for support.
Officials say these efforts form part of a broader mission to dismantle people smuggling networks. In the past year, nearly 30,000 individuals with no right to remain have been removed from the UK. The government has signed cooperation agreements with Iraq and Italy to target smuggling gangs and illicit financial flows, and has also introduced a sanctions regime targeting those involved in people smuggling.
The Home Office says further action is planned in the coming months as part of a sustained effort to restore integrity to the UK’s immigration system.
