Home Office says illegal-working raids and arrests at record level – UK politics live

Almost 9,000 people arrested and over 1,000 deported in 2025, Home Office says

Good morning. British politics in 2026 has to a large extent been preoccupied with foreign affairs, and Donald Trump’s turbocharged neo-imperialism, but domestic problems remain paramount. At the PLP last night, as Pippa Crerar reports, Keir Starmer sought to justify the amount of time he spends on foreign policy by saying it has a direct link to cost of living problems.

And, with immigration and small boats a key issue for voters, the Home Office is today talking up its record on one aspect of this problem.

Some 12,791 visits took place in 2025, up 57% from 8,122 in the previous year, to businesses such as nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaway shops.

Ministers are seeking to crack down on illegal working in the UK, as part of efforts to deter those coming to the country illegally.

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Source: www.theguardian.com

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