The UK government has reported a significant increase in enforcement actions targeting illegal migrant labor, resulting in a surge in arrests.
According to the Home Office, immigration raids on businesses, including nail salons, car washes, barber shops, and takeaways, have risen by 77% since Labour assumed power. This increase has been accompanied by an 83% rise in arrests.
Opposition parties have asserted that the availability of illegal employment opportunities in the UK acts as an incentive for migrants, contributing to the rise in Channel crossings via small boats.
In 2025, over 41,000 individuals undertook this perilous journey, marking the highest figure since 2022 and representing an increase of nearly 5,000 compared to the previous year.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp stated that “illegal working is booming because Labour have turned Britain into a soft touch”.
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.”
It is worth noting that the number of arrests during immigration raids on businesses had been trending upward prior to Labour taking office.
Between July 2024 and the end of December 2025, immigration enforcement teams conducted raids on over 17,400 businesses, reflecting a 77% increase compared to the preceding 18 months, as reported by the Home Office.
These operations resulted in over 12,300 arrests, representing an 83% increase.
The government has indicated that arrests by immigration enforcement teams have increased across all regions of the UK, with London, the West Midlands, and south-west England recording the highest numbers.
In London, over 2,100 arrests were made last year, a 47% increase compared to 2024.
The West Midlands and south-west England each saw over 1,100 arrests, representing increases of 76% and 91% respectively.
In Northern Ireland, 187 raids led to 234 arrests, marking increases of 76% and 169% respectively.
Examples of raided businesses include a warehouse in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, on 25 November, where 13 individuals were arrested, with 11 Brazilian and Romanian nationals detained for removal from the UK.
A construction site in Swindon was raided on 16 December, leading to the arrest of 30 Indian and Albanian men, nearly all of whom were detained for removal.
Additionally, a raid on a market at Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey on 11 December resulted in 11 arrests.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated: “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.”
The surge in raids followed an extra £5m of funding for Immigration Enforcement last year.
The government is also planning to introduce digital ID, which will be mandatory to prove someone’s right to work by 2029, to make it harder for migrants to work illegally.
Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
Katie Amess says previous reviews have failed to provide answers, and she wants a full inquiry.
The 2025 total is the highest since 2022, when nearly 46,000 migrants made the crossing.
The Home Office says Kinshasa has failed to agree to measures allowing the return of illegal immigrants and foreign national offenders.
Napier Barracks, a former military site, will be handed over to a property developer for housing.
A Surrey charity welcomes government efforts, but says more cash is needed to “join the dots”.