Immigration Enforcement officers carried out dawn raids at DPD depots in Basingstoke and Newbury on 11 June, resulting in nine arrests for suspected illegal working. Details were released today (12 June) as part of what the Home Office calls its “largest-ever” crackdown on right-to-work abuses. Officials checked the status of more than 100 workers; seven Indian nationals, one Ghanaian and one Pakistani were detained and placed on immigration bail. Employers now face potential civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker and could face director disqualifications if systemic breaches are proven. The operation underscores the government’s intention to broaden mandatory digital right-to-work checks to gig-economy and zero-hours contractors later this month. Logistics and e-commerce firms that rely on flexible labour should therefore review onboarding processes urgently. Since July 2024 arrests for illegal working have risen 83 %, according to the Home Office, a trend likely to continue as ministers seek to demonstrate control over migration ahead of local elections. For mobility and HR teams the message is clear: audit sponsorship files, verify contractor status and budget for increased compliance activity. Companies found employing undocumented migrants not only face fines but risk reputational damage that can affect future sponsor-licence renewals.
Source: ITV News Meridian
