A Home Office crackdown on illegal workers in the UK saw 20 Indian construction builders arrested. The government has ramped up its efforts to find migrants who are working here illegally, targeting certain industries suspected of employing those not eligible to work. Construction sites are the latest focus following a hone in of migrants working as delivery drivers.

Last week, a joint operation between the government and the Metropolitan Police saw 20 Indian nationals arrested - this includes small boat arrivals and others who have overstayed their visa. Construction sites are thought to be a hotspot for illegal workers due to the cash in hand nature of the job. This follows a West Midlands operation last month on Smethwick High Street after receiving a tip off that construction sites had illegal employees.

During the raid, 26 suspected immigration offenders were arrested - 24 Indian nationals, one Nepalese national and one Italian national. This led to the detention of 11 Indian nationals.

The Home Office is focusing on “migrants suspected of working illegally whilst in taxpayer funded accommodation or receiving financial support.”

Businesses have been warned that illegally employing someone who is not eligible to work could face a hefty fine of up to £60,000 per worker and a potential prison sentence of up to five years.

In addition, the government is introducing a new legal requirement for all companies to check that anyone they hire has a legal right to work in the UK.

Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime, Eddy Montgomery, said: “Our dedicated Immigration Enforcement officers have been ramping up action to disable illegal working across the board.

“This next step of co-ordinated activity will target those who seek to work illegally in the gig economy and exploit their status in the UK.

“That means if you are found to be working with no legal right to do so, we will bring the full force of powers available to us to disrupt and stop this abuse. There will be no place to hide.

“This targeted action is on top of ongoing work across the country to disrupt people flouting the rules across different sectors.”