UK Immigration Enforcement authorities arrested 4,756 people for working illegally in the country between January and June 2026, according to figures released by the Home Office.
The number represents a 20 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025, as the British government intensifies its crackdown on illegal employment.
Authorities also carried out 7,270 raids on businesses, marking a 31 per cent increase from the previous year.
The Home Office described the figures as the most successful six-month period in the history of British immigration enforcement. It said more than 17,000 illegal-working arrests had been recorded since July 2024, representing a 122 per cent increase compared with the preceding two-year period.
London recorded the highest number of arrests, with 1,256 cases, an increase of 32 per cent. The West Midlands followed with 701 arrests, up 22 per cent, while the South West recorded 693 arrests, representing a 44 per cent increase.
Employers in sectors such as beauty, retail and hospitality have also faced enforcement action, with £74 million in civil penalties imposed so far this year.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the latest enforcement drive had reached unprecedented levels, warning that both illegal workers and employers who deliberately violate immigration rules would face consequences.
However, Reform UK criticised the government’s interpretation of the figures. The party’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, accused Labour of underestimating the scale of illegal working in Britain.
The Home Office said tougher penalties for employers were already being introduced. From October 1, companies in the gig economy that employ illegal workers, including delivery riders, could face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker or a prison sentence of up to five years.
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