The Government has pledged to strengthen measures to tackle exploitative and illegal working in the UK, with new technology to be deployed to frontline officers to stop abuse of the system. The ability to work illegally can give rise to tax evasion, breach of the national minimum wage, and exploitative working conditions.

The heightened focus on illegal workers aligns with an increase in arrests, according to statistics published by the Home Office at the end of 2024, almost 13,500 people with no right to be here have been removed since the new Government came to office and illegal working operations and arrests are up by almost a third on the same period last year.

Carrying out right to work checks

With enhanced activity to identify illegal workers and substantial fines for employers, it is important that you have carried out the requisite right to work checks.

All employers in the UK have a responsibility to prevent illegal working. You do this by carrying out simple right to work checks before you employ someone – making sure the individual is not disqualified from carrying out the work in question by reason of their immigration status.

Prospective employees must be asked to show their right to work through a manual document check, using the services of an IDSP (Identity Service Provider), or by using the Home Office online right to work checking service.

You cannot mandate how an individual proves their right to work and to ensure there is no discrimination you should provide reasonable opportunity to enable an individual to prove their right to work.

A quick answer tool is available on GOV.UK enabling you to check which type of document gives someone the right to work in the UK and what a right to work check involves.