Outline:
Enhanced Data Sharing to Combat Illegal Employment
The UK Home Office has taken a significant step in its efforts to tackle illegal employment by agreeing to share the locations of asylum hotels with food delivery companies. This move is aimed at preventing migrants from working illegally within the gig economy, particularly as fast food delivery riders.
Previously, Deliveroo had requested the hotel addresses from civil servants to block accounts operating from these locations. However, the Home Office initially refused due to ‘safety concerns’ for the occupants of the hotels. Now, the Home Office has changed its stance and will provide this information to Deliveroo, as well as its competitors Just Eat and Uber Eats.
Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, emphasized the importance of this action: “Illegal working undermines honest business, exploits vulnerable individuals and fuels organised immigration crime. By enhancing our data sharing with delivery companies, we are taking decisive action to close loopholes and increase enforcement.”
This decision comes alongside a 50% increase in raids and arrests for illegal working under the Plan for Change. It also includes greater security measures and tough new legislation to address the issue.
Migrants Working in Asylum Hotels
Last month, it was revealed that migrants living in taxpayer-funded asylum hotels—some of whom arrived by small boat—are securing work as fast food delivery riders within hours of entering Britain. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp found evidence of asylum seekers breaking rules that prohibit them from working while their claim is processed by the Home Office.
Philp visited an asylum hotel in central London and posted a video showing bicycles fitted with delivery boxes for Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats parked outside. Days later, the Home Office called in all three companies for a meeting, leading to pledges to introduce ‘facial recognition’ systems on rider apps.
Despite assurances that the data would be treated confidentially, Deliveroo was initially refused access to hotel location data. Katie Lam, a shadow Home Office minister, criticized the Home Office’s refusal, stating, “The fact that the Home Office is refusing to help them just shows how topsy-turvy this country’s approach to migration has become.”
New Measures to Prevent Exploitation
Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at the Home Office, welcomed the change, saying, “This next step of co-ordinated working with delivery firms will help us target those who seek to work illegally in the gig economy and exploit their status in the UK. My teams will continue to carry out increased enforcement activity across the UK and I welcome this additional tool to disrupt and stop the abuse of our immigration system.”
In addition to this, the government has announced the trial of AI-powered facial recognition technology to determine whether Channel migrants are being wrongly identified as children. The Home Office plans to test this new technology later this year, with hopes of fully integrating it into the asylum system by 2026.
Ministers acknowledge that assessing the age of asylum seekers is a complex task but believe AI could offer quick and cost-effective results.
Rising Numbers of Migrants
More than 23,000 migrants have crossed the Channel so far this year, marking a more than 50 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. This is the highest number recorded in the first six months since records began in 2018.
The Home Office reports that there are 32,345 asylum seekers being housed at taxpayer expense in hotels, with another 66,683 in houses and flats. These facilities have frequently been targets of protests, some of which have turned violent.