Latest news with #illegalworking
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Illegal Channel migrant delivery riders ARRESTED as cops swoop on major asylum hotel after Sun expose
IMMIGRATION cops began cracking down on illegal delivery riders yesterday — after The Sun blew the lid on a nationwide racket. Asylum seekers suspected of earning from Just Eat takeaway drops while claiming taxpayer handouts had phones and bikes seized in the London swoop. 5 5 5 The operation lasted several hours and led to a number of arrests for illegal working and breaching bail conditions. Ministers were jolted into action by our investigation into the shameless criminality of asylum seekers earning cash from food drop-offs while living on taxpayer handouts. One rider, who had his mobile taken by an officer, denied working for a food firm before the phone rang, and the officer asked him: 'Why are Deliveroo calling you now then?' Bosses from the firm, plus Just Eat and Uber Eats, were last night hauled into the Home Office for a dressing down. They have now pledged to flush out their illegal workers with stricter vetting. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper vowed to ramp up the enforcement raids and said: 'I commend The Sun on their campaign to shine a spotlight on illegal working in the food-delivery sector.' The food giants were read the riot act at the precise moment Immigration Enforcement made their first swoop outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in London. More than 20 cops in stab vests scrambled from unmarked cars to pounce on migrants as they returned from shifts. Officers confronted at least ten men, two seen with delivery-branded food bags on bikes. One, with a scarf covering his face in the 32C heat, screamed at enforcement officers to 'f*** off' and 'respect their rights.' Cops took screenshots from phones, and told the men to open delivery apps so evidence could be collected. Undercover delivery driver investigation Some were released back to their accommodation. One swigged from a bottle of Captain Morgan rum as he moaned about the 'rubbish food' at the hotel and complained he was only given 'rice and tuna.' A second swoop at 4pm saw one cyclist put into an unmarked custody van. Immigration cops were seen sliding items, including what appeared to be a phone, into an evidence bag after searching the bearded migrant and his bike's pannier bags. A third enforcement team was still at the hotel last night. By 6pm there had been a number of arrests for illegal working and breaching bail conditions. They included nationals from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Despite the raids, the migrants will still likely continue to stay in taxpayer-funded accommodation to press on with their asylum claims. In recent days we exposed how asylum seekers get delivery work within ten minutes on social media groups dedicated to flogging delivery accounts to 'sub-contractors'. Squalid reality of workers By Bas Javid, Director of Immigration Enforcement MIGRANTS sleeping in cramped and overheated caravans, being paid far below minimum wage. Employers forcing people to work in dangerous construction sites or dirty kitchens for less than £1 an hour. This is the reality of illegal working in the UK. The Sun's investigation has been highlighting migrants earning money by working illegally as riders for takeaway firms. Anyone who employs illegal workers, either knowingly or through ignorance of the law, undermines our entire immigration system and economy. That's why my officers and I are using every avenue to put a stop to it. After today's meeting with Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eats, all three firms have now pledged to increase the number of facial verification checks over the next 90 days to clamp down on illicit account sharing. Without enforcement, the system breaks down and fuels the business model of people-smuggling gangs who peddle that the UK is a land of milk and honey. Rules need to be enforced and it's our job to ensure we work hard to do just that. Since July 5 last year to May 31, arrests are up 51 per cent compared with the previous 12 months. There is no hiding place from our enforcement teams and you will feel the full force of the law. Hailing our campaign Ms Cooper added: 'We have, today, secured important commitments from major food delivery providers, including Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats, for daily facial recognition checks for drivers that work with them. 'We are also stepping up our enforcement in this area, with plans to seize electric bikes kept outside asylum accommodation, and more raids on hotels or dispersed accommodation where illegal working is suspected to be a problem.' Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp added: 'I want to see police action like this happening at scale every day until illegal working has been eradicated. 'This practice creates a pull factor to the UK for illegal immigrants in Europe, and endangers women who may receive a delivery from an unvetted and unknown illegal immigrant who has only just arrived by small boat. 'Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats should be ashamed of themselves and should feel the full force of the law for what they've done.' The firms have pledged to bolster facial verification checks within 90 days to snare chancers. Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats should be ashamed of themselves and should feel the full force of the law for what they've done Chris Philp, Tory Shadow Home Secretary Just Eat said it would conduct checks daily instead of monthly, and 'fully supports' Government efforts to tackle illegal working. Deliveroo said it takes a 'zero tolerance approach to anyone abusing our platform'. Uber Eats said it is 'committed to tackling illegal working and welcome continued collaboration with industry and the Home Office.' Ministers will today start enforcing the first elements of a crackdown on legal migration — raising skilled worker visa requirements to degree level. The Home Office claims this will see 111 fewer occupations for which foreigners can get papers. MIGRANT'S SELFIE JOY By Michael Hamilton 5 A BRAZEN migrant holds an expensive smartphone to film himself on a dinghy leaving France for the UK. The stowaway — in a cap and with an orange lifejacket — raised his arms in apparent celebration as the small boat left Gravelines, near Dunkirk, for the perilous journey. He was at the front of a dinghy packed with 40 to 50 men which left yesterday morning. Others on board appeared to sign the V for Victory salutes. Figures showed 585 migrants arrived on Sunday, taking this year's total to over 19,000. An onlooker said: 'It was shocking to see one appearing to film it or take selfies.' Reform MP Lee Anderson said: 'This shows migrants acting brazenly and effectively giving us the V-sign.' Experts fear the weather this week may bring small boat arrivals in 2025 to 20,000. HOW THE SUN EXPOSED SCANDAL By Tom Seaward TUESDAY, JUNE 24 — TAKING US FOR A RIDE Our investigation reveals how Channel migrants are working as fast-food delivery riders within hours of arriving on the UK's shores. The scandal goes on while they are being housed at the taxpayer's expense in hotels up and down the country. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 — OFF YER BIKE The Home Office announces a crackdown on migrants working illegally as food delivery riders. It is claimed that they will be arrested and have their bikes seized in a major move by the authorities. MONDAY, JUNE 30 — DID SOMEBODY SAY JUST CHEAT Our reporter — posing as an illegal Channel migrant — was able to rent a Just Eat courier account and made a delivery within minutes — despite Home Office promises of a crackdown.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
UK food delivery companies increase checks on illegal workers
The UK's three largest food delivery companies have announced increased security checks for riders after ministers raised concerns about people working illegally for the firms. Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat have committed to increasing the use of facial verification checks and fraud detection technology in efforts to ensure only those with registered accounts can work on their platforms. The changes were announced after the firms met Home Office ministers on Monday to discuss people using the platforms to work illegally. The new measures also came a week after after the shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, claimed to have found people working illegally for the firms during a visit to a hotel used to house asylum seekers. The new checks will be rolled out in the next 90 days. Just Eat, who already use facial recognition checks, will be upping them from monthly to daily. Angela Eagle, minister for border security and asylum, said: 'This government will not turn a blind eye to illegal working. It undercuts honest business, hits people's wages and plays into the hands of the people-smuggling gangs. 'I welcome Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats' pledge to increase facial verification checks following today's round table. We will keep a close eye on their progress and continue discussions. Justin Madders, the employment rights minister, said: 'Illegal working opens the door to mistreatment and exploitation, undercutting legal workers in the process by driving down wages and working conditions. 'We're already delivering the biggest upgrade to people's rights at work in a generation as part of our plan for change, and we will continue to engage with these companies to ensure these rights are enforced, building a fairer labour market.' A Deliveroo spokesperson said: 'We take a zero tolerance approach to anyone abusing our platform, and today's meeting with industry partners and the Home Office represents progress in our collective efforts to combat illegal working. 'The industry leading measures Deliveroo put in place over the last year have had a positive impact, but criminals continue to seek new ways to abuse the system. Today, we have committed to further strengthening our approach, increasing daily facial recognition checks, and we welcome the industry's commitment to do the same.' An Uber Eats spokesperson said: 'We are committed to tackling illegal working and welcome continued collaboration with industry and the Home Office, which is essential in raising standards and ensuring consistency. We will continue to invest in industry-leading tools to detect illegal work and remove fraudulent accounts.' A Just Eat spokesperson said: 'Just Eat fully supports the government's efforts to tackle illegal working, and we are continuing to invest significant resources to protect the integrity of our network. 'Today, alongside the government and wider industry, we're committing to further action to strengthen our systems and safeguards in response to these complex and evolving challenges.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Food delivery apps to tighten checks to stop illegal workers
Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat have agree to "strengthen" security checks following reports some asylum seekers are working illegally as food delivery companies agreed to increase facial verification and fraud checks in a bid to stop people with no right to work in the UK from using someone else's account to earn money seekers are not allowed to work for the first 12 months of being in the UK, or until their asylum application is concerns have been raised that some migrants staying in government asylum hotels have been earning money on the apps. The government said there was "illicit account sharing" enabling people to work for the firms said Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat had now agreed to "increase the use of facial verification checks and fraud detection technology" to ensure only registered account holders could work off their and Uber Eats will increase the quantity and sophistication of verification checks they do already, and Just Eat will carry out checks on a daily rather than monthly government said the new checks would come into force over the next 90 days. "This government will not turn a blind eye to illegal working," said Dame Angela Eagle, minister for border security and asylum."It undercuts honest business, hits people's wages and plays into the hands of the people smuggling gangs."Over the last year, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat have introduced voluntary right-to-work checks on all account holders and registered so-called "substitute" drivers, but ministers have raised concerns that there continued to be abuse in the week, The Sun newspaper reported that Channel migrants were able to rent out other people's Deliveroo and Just Eat delivery accounts via social media claimed asylum seekers had been earning up to £1,000 a week on the apps and found dozens of online forums where legal riders were sub-letting their accounts for as little as £40 a met with the three firms on Monday following the reports.A Deliveroo spokesperson said the company took a "zero tolerance approach to anyone abusing our platform" and said it was "committed to further strengthening our approach, increasing daily facial recognition checks".Uber Eats said it would "continue to invest in industry-leading tools to detect illegal work and remove fraudulent accounts", while Just Eat added it was "continuing to invest significant resources to protect the integrity of our network".In March, the government announced that companies hiring people in the gig economy would be legally required to carry out checks, confirming that anyone working in their name is eligible to work in the UK, bringing them in line with other businesses fail to carry out such checks, they could face hefty penalties, including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, business closures, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five years.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Fast food delivery firms to ramp up security checks to curb illegal working
Food delivery firms will ramp up facial verification and fraud checks in the next 90 days to crack down on illegal working after talks with ministers. Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat met with Home Office bosses on Monday after concerns and reports of abuse in the sector. According to an investigation by The Sun newspaper, asylum seekers who crossed the English Channel were working as fast-food delivery riders within hours of arriving in the UK. The newspaper said Deliveroo and Just Eat delivery accounts were being offered to migrants to rent 'within 10 minutes of asking' through social media groups. On June 24, shadow home secretary Chris Philp also posted on X that he made an unannounced visit to an asylum hotel last Friday and found 'clear evidence' of illegal working for Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats. Asylum seekers in the UK are not normally allowed to work while their claim is being processed. Following the meeting with the Home Office, the companies agreed to strengthen checks and said they were committed to crack down on illegal working. It follows the introduction of voluntary right to work checks on all account holders and registered substitutes on Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat last year, which led to action being taken on thousands of accounts. They have now committed to increase facial verification checks and fraud detection technology to make sure only registered users can work on their platforms. Border security minister Dame Angela Eagle said: 'This Government will not turn a blind eye to illegal working. 'It undercuts honest business, hits people's wages and plays into the hands of the people smuggling gangs. 'I welcome Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats' pledge to increase facial verification checks following today's roundtable. We will keep a close eye on their progress and continue discussions.' Employment rights minister Justin Madders added: 'Illegal working opens the door to mistreatment and exploitation, undercutting legal workers in the process by driving down wages and working conditions. ' A Deliveroo spokesperson said the firm takes a 'zero tolerance approach' to abuse on the platform and that despite measures put in place over the last year, 'criminals continue to seek new ways to abuse the system'. An Uber Eats spokesperson added they will continue to invest in tools to detect illegal work and remove fraudulent accounts, while Just Eat said it was committed to strengthen safeguards 'in response to these complex and evolving challenges'.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- BBC News
Eight held in Lancaster and Morecambe illegal working crackdown
Eight men suspected of working illegally have been arrested following a crackdown on nail bars and restaurants in businesses in Lancaster and Morecambe were visited on Friday in a joint operation between police, immigration enforcement and trading standards concerns about modern slavery and suspected illegal working, five Vietnamese men were arrested at three different nail bars, one in Morecambe and two in Bangladeshi men were later detained at an Indian restaurant in Lancaster. 'Flout the law' Businesses which employ illegal workers and fail to conduct relevant pre-employment checks risk substantial fines, the Home Office of the men who were detained at the nail bars either had outstanding asylum claims or appeals, said a Home Office spokesman, meaning that they did not have permission to work in the two other men were found to have entered the UK illegally and were placed on strict immigration bail, pending travel documents being issued to facilitate their removal. No modern slavery concerns were the three men arrested at the restaurant in Lancaster, two were detained pending their removal from the UK for breaching their visa third man was bailed pending travel documents being Bushnell, the north-west of England's immigration compliance and enforcement lead, said: "We will continue to target those who flout the law - both individuals and the businesses that exploit them." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
