Illegal-Working Arrests Have Doubled in Two Years
Arrests for illegal working have doubled over the past two years, the Home Office said, pointing to a surge in enforcement raids across the country. Officials cast the figures as evidence of a crackdown on the black-market labour that draws people to make the Channel crossing. Raids have targeted businesses in several regions.
Ministers argue that choking off illegal work — in car washes, restaurants, delivery firms and building sites — removes a key incentive for irregular migration, and the government has made a show of stepping up raids. Critics question whether arrests translate into removals, and note that the returns deal with France has so far sent back only a small fraction of arrivals. The enforcement drive comes as the government tries to counter Reform’s attacks on its record. Whether tougher raids dent the crossings remains to be seen. Watch whether the arrests lead to prosecutions and deportations.