UK Government Reports Record Arrests and Deportations for Illegal Working; Social Housing Plans Criticized

The UK government announced a surge in arrests and deportations of individuals working illegally in the country, citing Home Office figures. Since the July 2024 general election, more than 17,000 people have been arrested for illegal working, a figure more than double that of the preceding two-year period.

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We’re sending a message that if you think you can come to this country and work illegally and disappear off the books, then our immigration enforcement service will find you [and] will arrest you.

Of those apprehended, 2,357 individuals have been deported, marking a 50% increase compared to the number returned between July 2022 and June 2024. Border security and asylum minister Anna Turley stated these are the "highest levels in British history," sending a clear message that illegal work will be met with enforcement.

Meanwhile, the Conservative party has proposed ending social housing eligibility for all foreign nationals. This policy, they claim, would free up approximately 230,000 homes for British families. Under these proposals, non-eligible tenants would be expected to vacate their homes within six months.

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divisive

However, the plans have faced strong opposition. Sarah Elliott, chief executive of the housing charity Shelter, described the policy as "divisive" and warned it would "brutally kick people out of their homes, including thousands of families and pensioners who have lived in them for decades." The article also briefly mentions ongoing unrest in Thetford involving anti-immigration protests and concerns over the potential early release of men convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper.

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brutally kick people out of their homes, including thousands of families and pensioners who have lived in them for decades