"There is no place for illegal working in our communities."
Illegal working arrests and enforcement raids have reached the highest level in British history.
Raids rose by 77% since Labour came into power, with arrests up 83% between July 2024 and December 2025.
More than 17,400 visits were carried out at businesses, including nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaway shops suspected of exploiting illegal labour.
The enforcement surge led to over 12,300 arrests and followed a £5 million funding boost for Immigration Enforcement teams last year.
The Home Office said the action targets criminal networks that undercut lawful workers and use illegal employment to fuel small boat crossings.
The government said the crackdown forms part of wider efforts to restore control of the immigration system and remove incentives for illegal migration.
It follows the removal and deportation of 50,000 people with no legal right to remain, representing a 23% increase under the current government.
Ministers said the approach also supports the Prime Minister’s Pride in Place programme, backed by £5 billion to revive high streets.
The scheme gives communities powers to seize boarded-up shops, block nuisance businesses and protect valued local assets.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “There is no place for illegal working in our communities.
“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.
“I will stop at nothing to restore order and control to our borders.”
Illegal working activity increased in every UK region, with London, the West Midlands and the South West recording the highest results in 2025.
London alone saw more than 2,100 arrests last year, a 47% rise compared to 2024.
Over 1,100 arrests were also made in both the West Midlands and the South West, increases of 76% and 91% respectively.
Enforcement officers carried out high-profile operations nationwide during November and December.
On December 2, Mumbai Kitchen in Tiverton lost its alcohol licence after evidence of illegal working. The business owes £70,000 in civil penalties and is subject to bi-monthly compliance checks by officers.
Another operation on December 16 saw 30 Indian and Albanian men arrested at a construction site in Swindon. Most were detained for removal, with five released on strict immigration bail.
Eddy Montgomery, Director of Immigration, Compliance and Enforcement, said:
“I am hugely proud of my teams for their unwavering efforts in tackling illegal working right across the UK.”
“While this is a great achievement, our activity won’t stop here – we will continue to bear down on this criminality in our towns, cities and villages to ensure there is no hiding place from immigration laws.”
The figures come as Immigration Enforcement officers are now fully equipped with body-worn cameras, following a rollout that began in September.
The Home Office said the technology will strengthen arrests and prosecutions.
Under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, right-to-work checks are also being expanded. They will now cover gig, casual, subcontracted and temporary workers.
The Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce has also been expanded to tackle people smuggling networks, bringing together agencies including the National Crime Agency, police leaders and Immigration Enforcement.
The Home Office said migrant smuggling disruptions have risen 33% in the past year, with nearly 4,000 since July 2024.
A new agreement with France now allows people arriving by small boat to be returned.
The government has also confirmed plans to introduce mandatory digital ID to prove the right to work by the end of Parliament.
Ministers said the system will simplify checks for employers and make it harder for illegal working to continue.
The Home Office said the measures aim to secure borders and dismantle the false promise of work used by smuggling gangs.
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