Statistical Release: Returns from the UK and Crackdown on Illegal Working Activity Since July 2024

By GovPrepare News Desk – October 2, 2025

Standfirst: The UK government released its latest enforcement statistics showing a measurable increase in illegal working detections and returns of foreign nationals since 5 July 2024. The data highlights the government’s intensified immigration enforcement strategy across multiple sectors.

Key Highlights

• 13,082 returns completed between 5 July and 30 September 2024 – a 17% increase compared to the previous three-month period.
• 2,865 illegal working penalties issued, totaling £49 million in fines.
• Priority sectors for enforcement included construction, hospitality, and car washes.
• Two national task forces deployed to high-risk regions identified by HMRC and the Home Office.
• Digital right-to-work checks contributed to 22% more employer referrals.
• Over 80% of voluntary returns were supported through the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme.

Background and Context

The UK government maintains strict immigration controls and has prioritized enforcement of illegal working since the implementation of the Illegal Migration Act 2023. The act enables broader powers to remove individuals without legal status and clamp down on non-compliant employers. Previously, quarterly immigration enforcement figures held steady, with returns hovering around 11,000 applicants from April to June 2024.

Historically, illegal working activity is concentrated in urban centers where industries rely heavily on undocumented labor. The Home Office has aligned its enforcement priorities with the 2022 New Plan for Immigration, which emphasized integrity, deterrence, and public confidence in the system. The UK Border Force, Immigration Enforcement Directorate, and HMRC collaborate on shared intelligence to detect non-compliance.

The New Development

On 1 October 2025, the Home Office published updated transparency data summarizing immigration enforcement outcomes for Q3 2024 (5 July – 30 September). The report shows a significant uptick in operational activity and outcomes driven by targeted raids, expedited documentation processes, and multi-agency surveillance.

Key statistics include:

• Total Returns: 13,082 returnees (forced and voluntary), including 4,520 enforced removals.
• Illegal Work Penalties: £49 million in fines distributed across 2,865 cases – up from £36 million in Q2.
• Sector Focus: Half of all enforcement visits took place in construction, car washes, and takeaway services.
• Detection to Return Time: Median time from detection to departure reduced by 27 days compared to Q2 averages.

The Home Office announced that part of the increase is attributable to its improved case triaging and investment of £12 million into a new caseworker portal launched in August 2024, improving the speed of biometric checks and exit facilitation processes.

Expert and Industry Reaction

Migration observatories and legal advocates have expressed varying responses to the findings:

• Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford noted that the sustained return levels mark the first quarter-to-quarter increase since early 2022, calling the figures “indicative of more coordinated national action.”
• Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) criticized the enforcement’s emphasis on forced removals, warning that due process could suffer in cases flagged through high-volume whistleblower channels.
• Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) welcomed clarity on employer obligations but urged better guidance for SMEs on digital right-to-work compliance.

Overall, the reaction suggests broader support for upholding legislation, with apprehension around the proportionality of measures in vulnerable sectors.

Alignment with Global or National Standards

These enforcement efforts are consistent with international recommendations regarding border security and labor market integrity:

• OECD Best Practices: The OECD acknowledges the need for member states to implement strong employer sanctions to deter illegal working. The UK’s penalties and transparency mechanisms align with this guidance.
• UN Protocol Against Smuggling of Migrants: The UK remains a signatory and has reinforced voluntary return pathways as a humane alternative within its compliance framework.
• ISO 30414 (Human Capital Management): Emphasizes traceable employment documentation, which the Home Office addressed through its expanded digital checks.

This statistical release strengthens the UK’s claim to upholding legal pathways for migration, differentiating between undocumented entries and irregular labor practices.

Impact on Stakeholders

For Employers: The step-up in inspections and fines places new pressure on businesses to verify employment status, particularly in high-risk sectors. Implementation of digital right-to-work checks is now critical for compliance.

For Migrants: The tightening enforcement may deter undocumented employment, but also creates fear of detection among individuals waiting for asylum or appeal outcomes, which could impact access to housing and medical services.

For Local Authorities and HMRC: Integration of cross-departmental intelligence is expected to continue. Local councils will receive early warning notices for employers under investigation to prepare for service impacts and community engagement needs.

In the long term, consistent enforcement paired with support programs like AVR may promote better migration system efficiency and humanitarian outcomes.

Official Guidance

• UK Government Immigration Enforcement Statistics
• Illegal Working Penalties: Code of Practice
• Right to Work Checks for Employers
• Migration Observatory, University of Oxford
• Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants

Conclusion

The Q3 2024 statistics from the UK Home Office reflect a concerted move toward faster and more targeted immigration enforcement. The increase in both return rates and penalty issuance underscores a policy shift favoring swift action over long-term case resolution. Employers, migrants, and local authorities alike will need to adapt to a climate of stricter verification and lower tolerance for irregular working arrangements.

Ongoing reviews and parliamentary updates will continue throughout 2025 and will inform further amendments to the Illegal Migration Act as well as employer compliance guidance. Preparedness and transparency will remain key pillars as the UK balances border management with legal protections.

Excerpt (Meta Description): UK enforcement returns rose to 13,082 and £49M in illegal work fines in Q3 2024, highlighting enhanced immigration control post–July updates.

Tags: UK immigration updates, illegal working, Home Office enforcement, returns from UK, employer compliance, right to work checks, Migration Observatory, Q3 2024 immigration stats, UK border policy, AVR program, illegal work penalties, Home Office data