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UK Targets Illegal Delivery Work With 171 Arrests as New Border Law Takes Effect

New rules extend right-to-work duties to gig platforms, with ministers pressing firms to tighten identity checks.

Overview

  • Immigration Enforcement arrested 171 delivery riders in a week-long operation, with 60 detainees held for removal from the UK.
  • The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act received Royal Assent on Tuesday, expanding right-to-work checks to gig roles and enabling business closure orders.
  • Employers who fail checks face penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of £60,000 per illegal worker.
  • Officials say platforms including Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats are increasing randomized facial recognition checks and using asylum hotel location data to identify hotspots and curb account-sharing.
  • Arrests were recorded in Solihull, Newham and Norwich, the Home Office released enforcement footage, and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood observed activity in Streatham as part of Operation Equalize.