The Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams tackling illegal working have had their most successful January in over half a decade, according to the Government.
As part of its Plan for Change, the Government has committed itself to restoring order to the immigration system. To achieve this, the Home Office has stepped up its efforts to tackle illegal working.
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken [...] That’s why, as part of our Plan for Change, we are boosting enforcement to record levels.”
Throughout January 2025, Immigration Enforcement teams entered 828 premises, including nail bars, convenience stores, restaurants and car washes, an increase of 48% in visits compared to January 2024. Arrests also surged by 73%, rising to 609 from just 352 last year.
Since the Government came to power in July last year, illegal working visits and arrests soared by around 38% up to January 31, compared to the same 12 months prior. Civil enforcement action was also taken, with the Home Office issuing a total of 1090 civil penalty notices.
In connected news, the Government has released updated guidance for employers regarding right to work checks.
This includes an update to Annex A: Lists of Acceptable Documents for Manual Right to Work Checks to confirm that a clipped British or Irish passport is a cancelled document and therefore not acceptable proof of right to work. Also, clarification has been provided that a short or long birth certificate is considered acceptable when presented with official evidence of name and national insurance number issued by a government agency or a previous employer.
Visit BrAInbox today where you can find answers to questions like Can a prospective employee use an expired passport to evidence their right to work through an ISDP?
Peninsula Team, Peninsula Team
(Last updated )
Peninsula Team, Peninsula Team
(Last updated )
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