The government of the United Kingdom has announced plans to intensify enforcement against illegal working, introducing stricter compliance measures targeting both employers and unauthorised workers.
This was disclosed in a statement by the UK Home Office on its official X page.
The move comes as authorities face growing pressure to tighten immigration controls and address concerns over illegal employment across key sectors.
What they are saying
The Home Office said the UK will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to illegal working, backed by stricter enforcement measures.
- “Illegal working will not be tolerated in the UK. We are introducing right-to-work checks, removing illegal workers from the UK, and ensuring companies that break the rules face unlimited fines,” the statement read.
Officials added that enhanced compliance activity will include on-site inspections and verification checks at business premises.
- The new measures are expected to place greater responsibility on employers to verify the legal status of their workers before hiring.
- Businesses found to be employing individuals without the right to work could face unlimited fines, as the government moves to deter non-compliance.
- Authorities also plan to increase workplace raids and enforcement operations aimed at identifying and removing unauthorised workers.
Get up to speed
According to the UK Home Office, authorities carried out 12,791 illegal working visits in 2025 alone, leading to 8,971 arrests, the highest level of enforcement recorded in a single year.
Nairametrics reported 828 workplace inspections and 609 arrests in January alone. Authorities also issued over 1,000 civil penalty notices to employers, with businesses found hiring illegal workers facing fines of up to £60,000 per worker.
- The inspections carried out across businesses such as restaurants, car washes, and convenience stores represented a 48% increase year-on-year, while arrests rose by 73%, highlighting a significant escalation in enforcement efforts.
- Between July 2024 and December 2025, enforcement activity intensified further, with over 17,483 inspections conducted nationwide and more than 12,322 arrests made, representing increases of 77% and 83% respectively compared to the previous period.
These operations also resulted in the removal of over 1,700 individuals.
What you should know
The UK is home to an estimated 10 to 11 million foreign-born residents, accounting for about 17% of the population.
- Nigerians remain one of the largest migrant groups in the UK across multiple visa routes, even as authorities tighten enforcement.
- According to Nairametrics, about 40,000 Nigerians migrated to the United Kingdom in the year ending June 2025, including roughly 25,000 on study visas, 12,000 on work visas, and about 3,000 through other routes.
- Over 30,000 study visas were granted to Nigerians in 2025 alone, highlighting strong demand for education and long-term migration pathways.
While the majority of migrants reside legally under work, study, or family visas, authorities say a smaller number remain in the country without proper authorisation.
