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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Police arrest 300 people in major crackdown on illegal working in Scotland
Officers have been swooping on businesses across the country in a bid to tackle those abusing the UK immigration system. Over 300 people have been arrested in Scotland as part of an operation to disable illegal working in the UK. Officers have been swooping on businesses across the country in a bid to tackle those abusing the UK immigration system and exploiting vulnerable people. A particular focus has been on cracking down on employers facilitating illegal working - often subjecting migrants to squalid conditions and illegal working hours below minimum wage. Restaurants, nail bars and construction sites have been among the thousands of businesses targeted. Since July 2024, 469 visits resulted in 309 arrests - marking a 63% and 68% rise respectively to the previous year. Last month, a raid in Glasgow saw six arrested after immigration enforcement officers undertook visits to businesses across the city. Four men and two women were arrested for having no right to work in the UK and overstaying their visas. The individuals were of Indian, Iraqi, Colombian, Spanish and Portuguese nationalities. Businesses to be targeted in the sting included Malaga Tapas West End, Malaga Tapas Bearsden, The Malletsheugh, The Marmaris and Lamegos. The action forms part of a nationwide intensification which has seen illegal working visits increase by 48% and arrests spike by 51% across the UK. It comes alongside a ramp-up of operational activity to restore control of the immigration system, including the return of nearly 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: ' Illegal working simply will not be tolerated under this government. 'That's why we are intensifying our enforcement activity to target illegal workers and unscrupulous employers who undermine our border security. 'Under our Plan for Change, we are finally restoring order to our immigration system and ensuring the rules are respected and enforced.' Lynne Davidson, HM Inspector, Scotland ICE Team, said: 'There is no excuse for ignoring employment and immigration rules and those who do should be in no doubt that they will face the full consequences. 'Businesses have a legal requirement to carry out right to work checks on employees and we will continue to pursue unscrupulous employers and those who break immigration laws.' Ramping up illegal working enforcement activity forms a key part of the Home Office's drive to restore order to the immigration system under the UK Government 's Plan for Change. In many cases, individuals travelling to the UK illegally are sold a lie by smuggling gangs that they will be able to live and work freely in the UK, when in reality they often end up facing poor pay, inhumane working hours and squalid living conditions The UK Government is also introducing tough new laws to clamp down on illegal working by extending Right to Work checks on those hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers in sectors like construction, food delivery, beauty salons and courier services.
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Daily Record
Six arrested in immigration raid on Glasgow restaurants and takeaways
Four men and two women were arrested in a crackdown in illegal working. Businesses were also issued with civil penalty referral notices. Six people have been arrested by immigration enforcement officers as part of a crackdown on illegal working in the Glasgow area. Officers from Scotland's Immigration, Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) Team acting on intelligence visited five restaurants and fast food premises in an operation on Thursday evening. The Home Office said four men and two women were arrested for allegedly having no right to work in the UK and overstaying their visas. Five of those arrested have been placed on strict immigration bail and are required to report regularly to the Home Office, while one has been detained pending their removal from the UK, it said. Those arrested included Indian, Iraqi, Colombian, Spanish and Portuguese nationals. All five premises were issued with civil penalty referral notices and the employers could face a fine if found liable, the Home Office said. Lynne Davidson, HM Inspector, Scotland ICE Team, said: 'There is no excuse for ignoring employment and immigration rules and those who do should be in no doubt that they will face the full consequences. 'Businesses have a legal requirement to carry out right to work checks on employees and we will continue to pursue unscrupulous employers and those who break immigration laws.' The Home Office said that in many cases people travelling to the UK are lied to by smuggling gangs who say they will be able to live and work freely when in reality they often have to work inhumane hours, and endure squalid living conditions and minimal pay. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Minister for border security and asylum Dame Angela Eagle said: 'Illegal working will not be tolerated under this Government. 'That's why we are clamping down on those who abuse our system and going after organised criminals who sell false promises to migrants about their ability to live and work in the UK. 'This operation is just one example of the continuous targeted action we're taking right across the UK to hold rogue employers accountable and finally restore fairness and integrity to our immigration system.'
Glasgow Times
16-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Arrests after Glasgow restaurants and fast food shops raided
Officers carried out an 'illegal working drive focused on restaurants and fast food outlets in the city Last night officers from Scotland's Immigration, Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) team turned up at a number of premises acting on intelligence of illegal working. READ NEXT:All the statues have been taken down from George Square The officers made two arrests at Malaga Tapas in Park Road in the West End and one arrest at Malaga Tapas Milngavie Road, Bearsden. Arrests were also made at The Malletsheugh, Ayr Road, near Newton Mearns, The Marmaris kebabs shop, Stuart Street, East Kilbride and Lamegos, fast food takeaway Glasgow Road, Blantyre. Four men and two women were arrested for having no Right to Work in the UK and overstaying their visas. The individuals were of Indian, Iraqi, Columbian, Spanish and Portuguese nationalities. All five premises were also issued with Civil Penalty Referral Notices and the employers could face a fine if found liable. READ NEXT:Nicola Sturgeon reveals she has received another payment for book deal Lynne Davidson, HM Inspector, Scotland ICE Team, said: 'There is no excuse for ignoring employment and immigration rules and those who do should be in no doubt that they will face the full consequences. 'Businesses have a legal requirement to carry out Right to Work checks on employees and we will continue to pursue unscrupulous employers and those who break immigration laws.' The UK Government said it is taking action across the UK and is 'ramping up illegal working enforcement activity,' forming a key part of the Home Office's drive to 'restore order to the immigration system under the Government's Plan for Change'. Angela Eagle, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, said: 'Illegal working will not be tolerated under this government. 'That's why we are clamping down on those who abuse our system and going after organised criminals who sell false promises to migrants about their ability to live and work in the UK. 'This operation is just one example of the continuous targeted action we're taking right across the UK to hold rogue employers accountable and finally restore fairness and integrity to our immigration system.' The government said: 'In many cases, individuals travelling to the UK illegally are sold a lie by smuggling gangs that they will be able to live and work freely in the UK, when in reality they will often face squalid living conditions, minimal pay and inhumane working hours, with the threat of arrest and removal if they are caught working illegally. 'In the latest move to restore order to the asylum and immigration system, the government is also introducing tough new laws to clamp down on illegal working by extending Right to Work checks on those hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers in sectors like construction, food delivery, beauty salons and courier services.' Immigration Enforcement teams, since July last year, have carried out 6,784 illegal working visits to premises and made 4,779 arrests – an increase of 40% and 42% compared to the same period 12 months ago. In that time, 1,508 civil penalty notices have been issued. Five of those arrested have been placed on strict immigration bail and are required to report regularly to the Home Office. One individual has been detained pending their removal from the UK.
STV News
16-05-2025
- STV News
Six arrested as restaurants raided by Scotland's immigration 'ICE Team'
Six people have been arrested in raids on five Glasgow restaurants by Scotland's Immigration, Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) team. Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers raided the businesses on Thursday evening 'acting on intelligence of illegal working'. Four men and two women were arrested for having no right to work in the UK and overstaying their visas. The individuals were of Indian, Iraqi, Columbian, Spanish and Portuguese nationalities and the business premises included the following: Malaga Tapas West End, Park Road – two arrests Malaga Tapas Bearsden, Milngavie Road – one arrest The Malletsheugh, Ayr Road – one arrest The Marmaris, Stuart Street – one arrest Lamegos, Glasgow Road – one arrest Home Office Malletsheauth arrest – Home Office Home Office All five premises were also issued with Civil Penalty Referral Notices and the employers could face a fine if found liable, the Home Office said. Lynne Davidson, HM Inspector, Scotland ICE Team, said: 'There is no excuse for ignoring employment and immigration rules and those who do should be in no doubt that they will face the full consequences. 'Businesses have a legal requirement to carry out Right to Work checks on employees and we will continue to pursue unscrupulous employers and those who break immigration laws.' Dame Angela Eagle, UK minister for border security and asylum, said: 'Illegal working will not be tolerated under this government. That's why we are clamping down on those who abuse our system and going after organised criminals who sell false promises to migrants about their ability to live and work in the UK. 'This operation is just one example of the continuous targeted action we're taking right across the UK to hold rogue employers accountable and finally restore fairness and integrity to our immigration system.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Six arrestsed as well-known Glasgow restaurants raided by immigration
Four men and two women were arrested for having no right to work in the UK and overstaying their visas. Two of those arrested were in Malaga Tapas West End, with one in each of Malaga Tapas Bearsden, The Malletsheugh, The Marmaris and Lamegos. All five premises were also issued with Civil Penalty Referral Notices and the employers could be fined if found liable. Read More Police called to primary school after boy, 7, brings knife to class Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: 'Illegal working will not be tolerated under this government. That's why we are clamping down on those who abuse our system and going after organised criminals who sell false promises to migrants about their ability to live and work in the UK. 'This operation is just one example of the continuous targeted action we're taking right across the UK to hold rogue employers accountable and finally restore fairness and integrity to our immigration system.' Lynne Davidson, HM Inspector, Scotland ICE Team, said: 'There is no excuse for ignoring employment and immigration rules and those who do should be in no doubt that they will face the full consequences. 'Businesses have a legal requirement to carry out Right to Work checks on employees and we will continue to pursue unscrupulous employers and those who break immigration laws.'
