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UK's Digital ID Proposal to Tackle Illegal Working and Immigration

The UK government is considering the introduction of a digital ID scheme, which aims to reduce illegal working, particularly among migrants who lack the right to work in the country. The proposal, supported by Sir Keir Starmer, differs from previous ID card systems in that it would use smartphone te... [More info]

Migrant given £600 taxpayer-funded taxi to see doctor | Politics | News

Channel migrants living in asylum hotels are being given taxpayer-funded taxis for all of their appointments, a bombshell…
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Home Office to share asylum hotel data with delivery firms in crackdown on illegal working

The UK Government has announced a new agreement with Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats to share the locations of asylum hotels, in a bid to crack down on illegal working in the food delivery sector.

The move follows growing concerns that some delivery riders have been sharing accounts with asylum seekers, allowing individuals without the legal right to work to operate on the platforms. Under UK law, asylum seekers are barred from employment while their claims are being processed, unless they’ve waited more than a year and received permission.

The Home Office says the data-sharing arrangement will help delivery firms identify high-risk areas, detect unauthorised account sharing, and suspend fraudulent profiles more quickly. It marks a reversal of the department’s previous stance, which had declined to release hotel location data due to safety concerns.

“Illegal working undermines honest business, exploits vulnerable individuals and fuels organised immigration crime,” said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. “By enhancing our data sharing with delivery companies, we are taking decisive action to close loopholes and increase enforcement.”

The partnership builds on a roundtable held in June, where ministers urged the companies to strengthen their security protocols. Since then, all three firms have committed to:

Daily facial verification checks for riders
Real-time identity and right-to-work checks
Advanced fraud detection tools to prevent account misuse

These measures have already led to thousands of accounts being removed from the platforms, according to the Home Office. Officials say the changes are part of a broader Plan for Change, which includes a 50% increase in enforcement raids and arrests for illegal working.

“This next step of co-ordinated working will help us target those who seek to work illegally in the gig economy,” said Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement at the Home Office.

The government is also introducing new legislation under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which will require gig economy firms to verify the legal status of anyone working under their name — bringing them in line with traditional employers.

All three delivery platforms — Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat — operate across South West Wales, with varying levels of coverage. Swansea, Llanelli, Neath, and Port Talbot are among the main hubs for Deliveroo and Uber Eats, while Just Eat has the widest reach, also serving Carmarthen and smaller surrounding communities.

More than 23,500 migrants have crossed the Channel so far in 2025 — a record for this point in the year. The Home Office currently houses over 32,000 asylum seekers in hotels, with another 66,000 in private accommodation.

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