UK Cracks Down on Illegal Workers with Unlimited Employer Fines

The UK government has introduced a zero-tolerance policy on illegal working. Employers now face unlimited fines for hiring unauthorised staff and must carry out strict right-to-work checks before hiring. To enforce this, the Home Office will step up on-site inspections, verification checks and workplace raids. Civil penalties can reach £60,000 per illegal worker. Record enforcement in 2025 included nearly 12,800 visits and over 8,900 arrests, with another surge in early 2026. With foreign-born residents making up 17% of the population, these tougher controls are expected to affect migrant communities, including Nigerians, as the government seeks to protect the integrity of its labour market.

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