Illegal working arrests and raids have reached the highest level in British history thanks to relentless activity by the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement teams.
Latest figures reveal the number of raids have soared by 77% in the UK since the government came into power, leading to an 83% rise in arrests (July 2024 to end of December 2025), News Cover reports, citing the UK government.
Over 17,400 raids were made to dodgy businesses - such as nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaway shops - targeting those attempting to undercut honest workers and hide in plain sight.
The major uplift, which led to more than 12,300 arrests, was made possible by a £5 million funding boost last year for Immigration Enforcement, to target and pursue illegal working criminality.
The crackdown on illegal working builds on this government’s work to restore order to the immigration system and end the lure of illegal working that gangs use to sell spaces on small boats.
It sits on top of the government’s work to remove and deport 50,000 illegal migrants – a 23% increase under this government.
The crackdown on illegal working also supports the Prime Minister’s Pride in Place programme, to revive high streets and restore local neighbourhoods across the UK with a landmark £5 billion funding.
Communities will gain new powers to seize boarded-up shops, block nuisance businesses, and buy beloved local assets before they close – restoring pride and unity to every corner of the country.
Today’s figures come after the Home Secretary set out sweeping reforms to the immigration system - making it less attractive for illegal migrants to come to the UK and easier to deport and remove those with no right to be here.
