Tackling Illegal Migration: New Work Checks Proposed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has unveiled plans to introduce expanded checks on unauthorized working as a strategy to reduce illegal migration into the UK. During an interview on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she emphasized the role of criminal gangs in exploiting unauthorized work to attract migrants to illegally enter the country. Cooper’s announcement precedes a significant UK-hosted summit aimed at addressing organized immigration crime, which will gather representatives from about 40 nations.

The government intends to broaden the scope of companies liable to fines for failing to conduct right-to-work checks, particularly targeting casual and gig economy workers. Currently, companies must verify the employment eligibility of direct hires, while agencies are responsible for their contract workers. Penalties for noncompliance can reach as high as £60,000 per unauthorized employee. The proposed changes would include a requirement for companies to check the work rights of self-employed contractors, a shift from current practices where only firms sponsoring workers’ visas are held accountable.

Cooper highlighted that existing checks do not sufficiently address the gig economy’s temporary and casual roles, with criminal organizations exploiting these avenues to entice illegal labor. While she could not provide an estimate of how many illegal workers would be apprehended with the new measures, she stressed the importance of proactive measures by employers to combat illegal employment.

The Home Office plans to introduce these changes through amendments to the ongoing Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, with a thorough consultation phase with businesses to follow. Potentially impacted sectors include construction, food delivery, beauty salons, and couriers.

In addition to these measures, Cooper indicated that the government is reassessing its application of international human rights law concerning migration, though specifics were not disclosed. The Conservative opposition criticized the Labour government’s actions, claiming they failed to deter illegal entry into the UK, particularly after scrapping the previous Rwanda deportation scheme aimed at discouraging unauthorized migration. Overall, the article outlines the UK’s latest approach to tackling the challenges of illegal migration amidst ongoing political debate.