Latest news with #DameAngelaEagle
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Arrests of undocumented migrants working illegally in UK surge 51 per cent as Home Office raids nail bars, building sites and restaurants
Arrests for illegal work have surged 51 per cent this past year after the Home Office raided restaurants, nail bars and construction sites throughout the UK. More than 6,400 people have been arrested over the last 12 months as police focus on 'unscrupulous' employers who exploit undocumented migrants. The data from the Home Office reveals that more than 9,000 businesses were visited for checks to be made on paperwork and working conditions. It did not provide how many of the arrests led to charges, convictions or deportations but said immigration enforcement officials had 'intensified' their work to 'tackle those abusing the UK immigration system and exploiting vulnerable people'. The Home Office said said there were a range of industries exploiting migrant workers with businesses often subjecting migrants to 'squalid conditions and illegal working hours' and below-minimum wages. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: 'For too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit migrants, with people allowed to arrive and work here illegally. 'This will no longer be tolerated on our watch. That's why we are ramping up our enforcement activity and introducing tougher laws to finally get a grip of our immigration and asylum system. 'Under our Plan for Change, we will continue to root out unscrupulous employers and disrupt illegal workers who undermine our border security.' The video was released as part of the Home Office's attempts to project a tough stance on immigration enforcement It is a legal requirement for employers to carry out Right to Work checks and those who fail to do so face hefty penalties including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five years. Over the past year, the government said it had returned almost 30,000 people who did not have the right to be in the UK. In one case at a construction site in Belfast's historic Titanic Quarter in March, officers made 36 arrests with offences ranged from breaching visa conditions to illegal entry in the UK with no permission to work. Elsewhere, 9 arrests were made at a caravan park in Surrey last month following intelligence individuals were working illegally as delivery drivers in the gig economy. Meanwhile, 9 people were also arrested in Bradford in March as officers intercepted a popular illegal working pick up point in Naples Street. Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at Immigration Enforcement Eddy Montgomery said: 'Our work to tackle illegal working is vital in not only bringing the guilty to account, but also in protecting vulnerable people from exploitation. 'I'm incredibly proud of our enforcement teams across the country for their hard work, skill and co-operation on these often challenging but highly important operations.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Home Office raids Titanic Loft Lines apartments as part of immigration enforcement
The Home Office has arrested almost 150 people during immigration enforcement raids at workplaces across Northern Ireland since July 2024, new figures News NI understands 36 people were arrested at the Loft Lines complex in the Titanic Quarter in Graham Group is one of the main building contractors on the is understood that those arrested did not work for the News NI put a number of questions to the Graham Group about the raid but a spokesperson said they would not be issuing any response. Figures released by the Home Office show that between 5 July 2024 and 31 May 2025, 113 visits resulted in 148 arrests. This marked a 48% rise compared to the year department said it was part of "a drive to combat illegal working" with a particular focus on tackling employers facilitating illegal working, often subjecting migrants to squalid conditions and illegal working hours below minimum nail bars and construction sites have been among the thousands of businesses targeted. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said the government was "committed to tackling illegal working as we intensify our enforcement efforts to disrupt organised immigration networks at every level"."There must be no hiding place from the law and these figures demonstrate our determination to curb immigration offending and disrupt unscrupulous employers," she added."Under our Plan for Change, we are laser focused on fixing our immigration system and securing our borders once and for all." BBC News NI understands that a major co-ordinated operation reported in March, took place at the Loft Lines ranged from breaching visa conditions to illegal entry in the UK with no permission to Lines is a three-block apartment development located at Queen's Island in the docks area of the city, on land which used to form part of the Harland and Wolff majority of the 778 apartments will be privately owned and rented out to tenants, but up to 20% of the properties will be constructed as social, affordable homes. Developers The lead developers of the site are Lacuna Developments and Watkin Jones Group PLC, while Graham Group are leading on Jones PLC declined to Developments have been approached for comment by BBC News development has previously been criticised for blocking the view of Belfast's Titanic museum as the apartments are being built in front of News NI understands that 30 of the individuals arrested elected to leave the UK have been placed on immigration bail and are now required to report regularly to the Home Office.A 16-year-old boy was also being supported by local individual arrested on suspicion of immigration offences has been bailed pending further investigation.
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Groans as Lee Anderson suggests Jeremy Corbyn should be deported with Channel migrants
Lee Anderson 's call for Jeremy Corbyn to be deported alongside migrants who cross the Channel to reach the UK prompted groans in the House of Commons on Monday (12 May). The Reform UK MP's comments came during a debate about the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. Mr Anderson asked Dame Angela Eagle: "Does she agree with me that these young men crossing the Channel should be immediately detained and deported along with the member for Islington?" Mr Anderson was condemned for his comments, with the Home Office minister replying: "I'm quite shocked that the honorable gentleman thinks that that's an appropriate thing to say in this place."
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Flagship immigration reforms closer to law following MPs' vote of support
Flagship immigration reforms which propose to equip the Government with the tools to 'identify, disrupt and dismantle' criminal gangs, have moved a step closer to becoming law. MPs voted 316 to 95, majority 221 at third reading in support of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. The legislation aims to introduce new offences and counter-terror-style powers to tackle people smugglers bringing migrants across the English Channel. People selling and handling boat parts suspected of being used in migrant Channel crossings could face up to 14 years in prison and the Government wants to make it an offence to endanger another life during sea crossings to the UK. Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle said the Bill would also extend right-to-work checks to workers seeking casual or temporary contracts, or individual sub-contractors and online matching services, as a result of a Government amendment. In addition, the Bill would repeal previous asylum legislation introduced by the Conservatives, including the scheme to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. Speaking at third reading, Dame Angela told the Commons: 'People smuggling is a complex and multi-faceted problem. There are not quick or easy solutions to prevent it. 'Anyone who claims that there are easy answers is a snake oil salesman, but it is possible to identify, disrupt and dismantle the criminal gangs and strengthen the security of our borders with international diplomacy and operational cooperation.' At report stage, shadow home secretary Chris Philp tabled an amendment designed to disapply the Human Rights Act and interim measures of the European Court of Human Rights in relation to the Bill and to other legislation about borders, asylum and immigration. On his new clause 14, Mr Philp said the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is 'vaguely worded', adding: 'The problem is over the years judges have expanded their interpretation of those in ever more extraordinary ways that frankly defy common sense.' Dame Angela said she feared arbitrary treatment 'could become the norm' without the ECHR. This was in response to Lee Anderson, the Reform UK MP for Ashfield, who said migrants arriving in England on Monday 'could get up to all sorts of mischief, commit crimes and maybe even acts of terrorism'. MPs voted voted 402 to 98, majority 304, to reject the Conservatives' amendment. A Conservative amendment which proposed an annual cap on the number of immigrants entering the UK was also rejected by MPs, with 94 in favour, 315 against, majority 221. Speaking in support of an immigration cap, Mr Philp said: 'Never again would we see immigration rise to levels far higher than anyone intended, we wouldn't ever again see unintended consequences where visa rules are set up but it turns out the numbers are much higher.' The shadow minister also called for age verification tests for migrants, as he claimed 'men with beards have ended up in schools with teenage girls'. Labour MP Nadia Whittome described existing figures on English Channel crossing deaths as 'murky' as she proposed her new clause 1, which would require the Home Office to publish quarterly statistics and information on deaths in the asylum system and in small boat channel crossings. The Nottingham East MP told the Commons: 'People are drowning while trying to reach safety. 'Once they arrive, they are dying by suicide, from infectious diseases and unknown causes, in poverty, in low-quality accommodation or on the streets, like the teenage victim of modern slavery who took his own life while terrified of deportation, or the father-of-one who died of diphtheria after being held in a Government processing centre, or the seven-year-old girl crushed to death on an overcrowded boat.' Ms Whittome later added: 'The Government rightly wants to reduce deaths in the Channel. The starting point must be to know the numbers.' Labour MP Kim Johnson (Liverpool Riverside) also spoke in favour of this amendment, saying: 'Currently we know that lives are being lost but we don't know how many.' Liberal Democrat home affairs spokeswoman Lisa Smart spoke in favour of her party's amendment new clause 21, which would allow asylum seekers to take up employment if they have been waiting more than three months for a decision on their application. Dame Angela said the Government is 'worried that if right-to-work comes in after three months, that will be too much of a pull factor'. She added: 'We have to have a system that people apply to properly, rather than can get around by coming in with by irregular routes.' The Liberal Democrats' amendment was defeated by 404 votes to 87, majority 317. The SNP's new clause three, which would have required the Government to publish a strategy on safe and managed routes for asylum seekers, was rejected by 318 votes to 90, majority 228. The division list showed Labour MPs Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington), Olivia Blake (Sheffield Hallam), Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Clapham and Brixton Hill) and Ms Whittome voted in favour of the amendment.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Groans as Lee Anderson suggest Jeremy Corbyn should be deported with Channel migrants
Lee Anderson 's call for Jeremy Corbyn to be deported alongside migrants who cross the Channel to reach the UK prompted groans in the House of Commons on Monday (12 May). The Reform UK MP's comments came during a debate about the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. Mr Anderson asked Dame Angela Eagle: "Does she agree with me that these young men crossing the Channel should be immediately detained and deported along with the member for Islington?" Mr Anderson was condemned for his comments, with the Home Office minister replying: "I'm quite shocked that the honorable gentleman thinks that that's an appropriate thing to say in this place."
