Home Office extends right to work checks for gig economy workers
The Home Office has announced that it is to extend the illegal working regime so that businesses will need to undertake right to work checks of persons in the gig economy and zero-hours workers who are ‘working in their name’, or they may face a fine or other penalty if the person has no right to work for them in the UK. Previously, this regime has only applied where there is a traditional employment relationship. This change will be relevant for sectors such as construction, food delivery, beauty salons and courier services. Relevant penalties will include fines up to £60,000 per worker, business closures, director disqualifications and prison sentences up to five years. In the same announcement, the Home Office confirmed the increased operational action by Immigration Enforcement teams in this area, noting that since July 2024 6,784 illegal working visits have been made to premises and 4,779 arrests made. This is stated to be an increase of 40% and 42% compared to the same period 12 months ago. In the same time period, 1,508 civil penalty notices have been issued.
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