Arrests of migrants working illegally in the UK have soared by 51% since Labour entered government, with enforcement operations intensifying across restaurants, nail salons, and construction sites, new Home Office figures reveal.
Between 5 July 2024, the day after the general election, and 31 May 2025, 6,410 individuals were detained on suspicion of illegal working – a significant rise compared to the same period under the previous Conservative government.
The spike follows a marked escalation in enforcement activity under Labour’s Plan for Change, with 9,000 site inspections carried out – a 48% increase on the previous year.
Targeted operations have focused on sectors frequently linked to visa breaches and exploitation, including hospitality, beauty services, and building sites.
In one high-profile raid, 36 people were arrested at a construction site in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, where officers discovered individuals working in violation of visa conditions or having entered the UK unlawfully.
Elsewhere, nine arrests were made at a caravan park in Surrey last month, after intelligence indicated it was being used to house illegal delivery drivers.
In Bradford, nine further arrests were carried out in March at a known hotspot for illegal worker pick-ups.
Authorities warn that people-smuggling gangs continue to exploit vulnerable migrants, luring them across the Channel with false promises of employment, only to trap them in degrading work conditions for little or no pay.
Current UK law requires employers to conduct right-to-work checks for all foreign nationals. Failure to do so can result in fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualification, and up to five years in prison.
Since Labour took office, the government has also deported nearly 30,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the country, according to Home Office data.
Ministers have pledged further measures, including tougher immigration laws, expanded compliance checks, and sector-specific crackdowns on illegal employment.
Dame Angela Eagle, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, said: “For too long, unscrupulous employers have exploited migrants and ignored the law. Under this government, that ends. We are stepping up enforcement and tightening legislation to finally restore control of our borders.”
Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement for Immigration, added: “Combating illegal working is essential not only to hold employers accountable, but also to protect vulnerable individuals from abuse.”
“I’m incredibly proud of our enforcement teams for their dedication and professionalism during these complex operations.”
