UK illegal working arrests reached 17,114 between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2026, a 122% rise on the previous two years, according to Home Office figures published on August 7, 2026. ProPakistani reported the numbers on October 13, 2026.

Enforcement teams carried out 24,793 visits to businesses suspected of using illegal workers over the same period, up 111%. Of those arrested, 2,357 people have been returned so far, a 50% increase on the 1,570 returned in the earlier two-year period. That is about 14% of the 17,114 arrested, though some cases are still in progress.

Arrests peaked in late 2025

The Home Office’s half-year series shows how the total built up:

The 4,756 arrests in the first half of 2026 came from 7,270 visits, up 20% and 31% on the same period of 2025. The Home Office called it the most successful start to a year on record. The figure was still lower than the 5,039 arrests in the second half of 2025.

Warehousing, distribution and delivery services accounted for almost 2,000 arrests over the two years, a 325% rise on the previous two-year period. The published figures do not break arrests down by nationality.

More than 1,200 businesses fined over £74 million

In the first six months of 2026, more than 1,200 businesses found to be employing people illegally were issued civil penalties worth over £74 million. IBTimes UK noted that the total is not broken down by industry and that penalties often follow inspections from earlier months, so they cannot be matched directly to the visits in the same period.

Under UK law, employers must check that staff have the right to work. IBTimes UK reports that civil penalties run up to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach and £60,000 for a repeat breach, and the Home Office has also cited criminal prosecution for employers who fail to comply.

When the earlier set of record figures came out in January, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said enforcement had been surged to the highest level in British history.