<\/p>\n
A crackdown on migrants working in the UK illegally has led to a surge in arrests, the government has said. <\/p>\n
The Home Office said the number of immigration raids on businesses such as nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaways had increased by 77% since Labour came to power, with an 83% rise in arrests.<\/p>\n
Opposition parties have warned that opportunities to work illegally in the UK act as a pull factor for migrants, encouraging people to cross the Channel in small boats.<\/p>\n
More than 41,000 people made the dangerous journey in 2025, the highest number since 2022 and almost 5,000 more than the previous year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said “illegal working is booming because Labour have turned Britain into a soft touch”. <\/p>\n
He added: “As long as people who arrive illegally can work, earn, and stay, smugglers have a sales pitch, a reward they dangle in front of those crossing the Channel.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The number of people arrested during immigration raids on businesses has been rising steadily for some time and was increasing before Labour took office.<\/p>\n
Between July 2024 and the end of December 2025, more than 17,400 businesses were raided by immigration enforcement teams, a 77% increase on the previous 18 months, according to the Home Office.<\/p>\n
It said these raids had led to more than 12,300 arrests, which equates to an 83% rise, and more than 1,700 of those people have been deported. <\/p>\n
Dr Peter Walsh, senior researcher at the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said enforcement action alone was unlikely to be a “game-changer on small boat crossings”.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that historically detentions and removals have been far lower than arrests.<\/p>\n
He added: “Raids may lead to some increase in removals, but they’re not the biggest source. <\/p>\n
“The bigger impact is likely on employers, where there is evidence that workplace enforcement discourages hiring people without the right to work.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The government said arrests by immigration enforcement teams had risen in every region of the UK, with the largest number of arrests in London, the West Midlands and south-west England.<\/p>\n
In London, more than 2,100 arrests were made last year, a 47% rise compared to 2024. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, more than 1,100 arrests were made in both the West Midlands and south-west England, a rise of 76% and 91% respectively.<\/p>\n
In Wales, 1,320 raids were carried out last year, resulting in 649 arrests – a rise of 103% and 85% respectively.<\/p>\n
In Scotland there were 695 raids leading to 400 arrests – a rise of 61% and 49% respectively.<\/p>\n
In Northern Ireland, 187 raids led to 234 arrests – a rise of 76% and 169% respectively.<\/p>\n
Among the businesses raided were a warehouse in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, on 25 November, where 13 people were arrested, with 11 Brazilian and Romanian nationals detained for removal from the UK.<\/p>\n
Other examples included a raid on a construction site in Swindon on 16 December, which led to 30 arrests of Indian and Albanian men, who were nearly all detained for removal.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a raid on a market at Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey on 11 December resulted in 11 arrests.<\/p>\n
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “There is no place for illegal working in our communities.<\/p>\n
“That is why we have surged enforcement activity to the highest level in British history so illegal migrants in the black economy have nowhere to hide.<\/p>\n
“I will stop at nothing to restore order and control to our borders.”<\/p>\n
The surge in raids followed an extra \u00a35m of funding for Immigration Enforcement last year.<\/p>\n