Sixty delivery drivers to be deported after 171 arrests in gig economy crackdown

The UK is deporting 60 delivery riders found to be working illegally after an immigration crackdown.

Targeted action against workers in the so-called gig economy led to 171 arrests nationwide last month, the Home Office said. Those arrested included Chinese nationals working in a restaurant in Solihull, Bangladeshi and Indian riders in east London, and Indian delivery riders in Norwich.

The drive comes as ministers try to crack down on illegal working in the UK, as part of efforts to deter those coming to the country illegally. Home Office figures show there were 8,232 arrests of illegal workers in the year to September, up 63% compared with the previous 12 months.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood set out reforms to the asylum system last month, aimed at making the UK less attractive for illegal migration and making it easier to deport people. Border security minister Alex Norris said the government was rooting out the criminality of illegal working in the delivery sector from communities.

He went on to say: "These results should send a clear message, if you are working illegally in this country, you will be arrested and removed. "This action is part of the most sweeping changes to illegal migration in modern times to reduce the incentives that draw illegal migrations here and scale up removals." Read more:France will soon be able to intercept suspected migrant taxi boatsHow is Britain's immigration system actually changing? Ministers have also been working with firms Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats to address concerns of abuse in the sector and ramping up identity checks to tackle account-sharing.

The Home Office also agreed in July to share asylum hotel locations with food delivery companies, to tackle suspected hot spots of illegal working. The action also comes as the government's new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act became law on Tuesday, which includes measures to close a "loophole" for casual, temporary or subcontracted workers to also have to prove their status.

Employers who fail to carry out checks could face up to five years in prison, fines of £60,000 for each illegal worker they have employed, and having their business closed..