Yvette Cooper announces crackdown on illegal working in the UK
- A new crackdown has been introduced in the UK to combat illegal working among gig and zero-hour contract employees.
- Business owners face severe penalties, including fines, closures, and potential imprisonment for non-compliance.
- These measures aim to disrupt people smugglers while providing a level playing field for law-abiding companies.
In the United Kingdom, recent actions taken by the Labour government under Home Secretary Yvette Cooper aim to address illegal immigration and working practices. These measures are part of Labour's more aggressive stance since taking office, focusing on issues surrounding the gig economy and undocumented workers. As part of the crackdown on illegal working, companies in sectors such as construction, food delivery, and beauty services will now be legally required to verify that their employees have the right to work in the UK. Prior regulations did not mandate such checks for gig economy workers, leading to widespread exploitation and potential abuse of the immigration system. The government has proposed significant penalties for companies that fail to comply with these new regulations, including fines of up to £60,000 for each unverified employee, possible company closures, and disqualification of company directors from operating. The enforcement of these rules is intended to level the playing field for honest businesses that adhere to immigration laws while also disrupting the operations of people smuggling gangs that exploit vulnerable migrants seeking employment in the UK. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has mentioned that unchecked illegal working contributes to the activities of unscrupulous people smugglers who lure migrants with false promises of jobs, often leading them to dangerous situations. To combat this, the government's actions will include increased raids and arrests for illegal working, supported by new technology such as body-worn cameras for enforcement personnel. These enhancements will aid in collecting evidence for prosecutions and holding accountable those businesses that subvert immigration laws. Amid growing public concern over the migrant crisis, Labour's actions have sparked conversations about how to restore order to the asylum and immigration system, engaging various stakeholders, including businesses and law enforcement. Since measures have been introduced, Immigration Enforcement teams have increased their operational actions significantly, highlighting the urgency and seriousness with which the government is approaching illegal immigration and working challenges.