The United Kingdom authorities have announced plans to slam a £60,000 fine on employers hiring illegal workers as food delivery drivers or construction workers.

 The UK Home Office, in a statement on Wednesday, said, “From 1 October, employers caught hiring illegal workers as food delivery drivers or construction workers will face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker or five years in prison.”

The UK Home Offiice noted that under new laws, it will become a legal requirement for all employers to ensure their workers have legal status and permission to work in the UK. 

“This change extends established legal requirements already in place for traditional employers to prevent illegal working to flexible working arrangements, such as those used in food delivery,” it stated.

According to the authorities, tackling illegal working remains critical to removing the perceived incentives that draw migrants to the UK illegally, while ensuring a level playing field for honest businesses.

“In 2025, Immigration Enforcement made 256% more arrests in the construction sector and 217% more arrests in distribution and delivery services compared to 2024, highlighting the scale of abuse in these industries.

“Illegal working enforcement activity is already at the highest level in British history, but with the expansion of right-to-work checks, we are going to go further in tackling rogue employers,” the UK Home Office stated.

The development came days after the UK said it slammed a £74 million fine on employers who hired illegal workers and arrested about 4,700 illegal workers within six months.