Hundreds of delivery drivers have been arrested across the UK in a major crackdown on illegal working.
Between July 20 and 27, immigration enforcement officers stopped and spoke to 1,780 people at various locations across the country. The Home Office confirmed that 280 individuals were arrested in areas including Hillingdon in north-west London, Dumfries in Scotland, and Birmingham.
Of those arrested, 53 are now having their asylum support reviewed, which could lead to it being withdrawn.
The operation, described by the Home Office as a “nationwide intensification week,” targeted illegal working hotspots, focusing particularly on the gig economy and delivery riders. Officials say that some asylum seekers, despite being banned from employment, have been earning up to £500 a week delivering food for platforms such as Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats.
Immigration enforcement teams are set to receive £5 million from the £100 million already allocated for border security to bolster these operations.
Dame Angela Eagle, the border security minister, said:
“Illegal working undermines our border security and we’re cracking down hard on it. That’s why we have intensified our enforcement activity right across the UK to crack down on those who think they can evade immigration and employment laws in the UK.”
As part of the enforcement drive, 51 businesses — including car washes and restaurants — were issued with penalty notices and could face hefty fines if found to have hired individuals without the legal right to work in the UK.
Written by: LIIE IMMIGRATION
