In a sweeping move that underscores the UK government’s intensifying crackdown on illegal migration and unregulated work, the Home Office announced in November 2025 that approximately 60 delivery riders found to be working illegally will be deported. This action comes as part of a broader campaign targeting the so-called gig economy, a sector that has seen a significant uptick in enforcement activity over the past year.
According to figures released by the Home Office and reported by The Independent, last month’s nationwide operation led to 171 arrests, with 60 individuals detained specifically for removal from the UK. The arrests were not confined to a single region but spanned the country, reflecting the scale and ambition of the government’s efforts. Among those apprehended were Chinese nationals working in a restaurant in Solihull, West Midlands; Bangladeshi and Indian riders in Newham, east London; and Indian delivery riders in Norwich, Norfolk.
The operation was not without a public face. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was present during one of the enforcement actions in Streatham, south London, lending visible ministerial backing to the initiative. Video footage released by the Home Office showed officers escorting an arrested man into the back of an immigration enforcement van and apprehending another man by his bike on the street—a stark visual representation of the government’s message to those working illegally.
"These results should send a clear message, if you are working illegally in this country, you will be arrested and removed," said Border Security Minister Alex Norris, as quoted by The Independent. He continued, "As well as delivering record levels of enforcement, we are tightening the law to clamp down on illegal working in the delivery sector to root out this criminality from our communities. This action is part of the most sweeping changes to illegal migration in modern times to reduce the incentives that draw illegal migrations here and scale up removals."
This latest crackdown is not an isolated event but part of a raft of reforms aimed at making the UK less attractive to illegal migration and streamlining the process for deportation. In November, Home Secretary Mahmood outlined new measures to reform the asylum system, making it more difficult for those without legal status to remain in the country. The changes are designed to close loopholes and ensure that casual, temporary, or subcontracted workers are also required to prove their right to work in the UK.
The campaign against illegal working is also being reinforced by the government’s collaboration with major players in the gig economy. Ministers have been working closely with companies such as Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats to address concerns about abuse in the sector. One of the key issues is account-sharing, where individuals without the legal right to work use someone else’s credentials to gain employment. To tackle this, the government has ramped up identity checks and, in July, agreed to share the locations of asylum hotels with food delivery companies in a bid to target suspected hotspots of illegal working.
Home Office statistics reveal the scale of the problem and the government’s response. In the year leading up to September 2025, there were 8,232 arrests of illegal workers—a staggering 63% increase from the 5,043 recorded in the previous twelve months. The numbers underscore the government’s commitment to enforcement and the growing prevalence of illegal working, particularly in sectors reliant on flexible labor.
The legislative backbone of these efforts is the newly enacted Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, which became law on December 3, 2025. This act introduces several key measures, including closing loopholes that previously allowed casual, temporary, or subcontracted workers to evade status checks. The legislation also significantly raises the stakes for employers, who now face up to five years in prison and fines of £60,000 for each illegal worker they employ. Businesses found in violation risk not only hefty financial penalties but the possibility of being shut down entirely.
For employers, the message is clear: rigorous checks are no longer optional. The government has made it plain that the days of turning a blind eye to the status of gig economy workers are over. The threat of severe penalties is intended to deter companies from cutting corners and to encourage a culture of compliance throughout the sector.
The reforms and crackdowns have drawn both support and criticism from various quarters. Supporters argue that robust enforcement is necessary to maintain the integrity of the immigration system and to protect legal workers from unfair competition. They contend that illegal working undermines wages, working conditions, and the social contract that underpins the UK’s labor market.
Critics, however, warn that such measures risk pushing vulnerable individuals further into the shadows. They argue that many of those caught up in enforcement actions are themselves victims of exploitation, lured by the promise of work and left with few legal avenues to regularize their status. Some advocacy groups have called for a more nuanced approach that balances enforcement with support for those seeking to escape abusive or exploitative working conditions.
The government, for its part, insists that the reforms are both necessary and proportionate. Home Secretary Mahmood has emphasized that the new measures are designed to "make it easier to deport people who have no right to be here," while also ensuring that the UK remains a welcoming destination for those who come legally and contribute to society. The government’s partnership with gig economy firms is seen as a pragmatic step to address a sector that has, until now, been difficult to regulate effectively.
As the dust settles from the latest wave of arrests, the message from ministers is unequivocal: the UK is tightening its borders and taking aim at illegal working, particularly in sectors that have long operated in the shadows. Whether these measures will succeed in deterring illegal migration and restoring confidence in the system remains to be seen, but for now, the government appears determined to see its reforms through, whatever the political and social costs may be.
With the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act now on the books and enforcement at record levels, the landscape for gig economy workers—and their employers—has changed dramatically. The coming months will reveal whether these efforts can strike the delicate balance between robust enforcement and fair treatment for all those who live and work in the UK.
