Home Office Crackdown On Illegal Gig Workers

Home Office Operation Reveals Illegal Working

More than 50 people have been arrested in a Home Office operation targeting those illegal working, especially as part of the gig economy.

Over the course of six days, Immigration Enforcement checked the immigration status of a large number of drivers working for delivery companies such as JustEat, UberEats and Deliveroo.

In total, 60 arrests were made for offences such as illegal working and possession of false documentation. The majority of those detained by the Home Office will be removed from the country, while a small number have been released on bail.

Business must ensure they “comply with the rules”

Eddy Montgomery, the Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime, explained: “This is a really positive result and shows why the work we do is so important.

“By raising awareness of the risks and consequences of illegal working, we are helping ensure businesses are complying with the rules.”

Home Secretary Suella Braverman added the public should have “confidence that goods and services they buy are from legitimate businesses”.

Employers Must Ensure Workers Have Right to Work

The operation highlights the importance of employers ensuring they only employ workers who do have the right to work in the UK and have the appropriate visa permissions in place.

Companies and organisations discovered employing illegal workers can face significant consequences – including financial penalties and up to five years in jail – if they knowingly employ people who do not have the legal right to work in the country.