The United Kingdom authorities have slammed a £74 million fine on employers who hired illegal workers and arrested about 4,700 illegal workers within six months. 

The UK Home Office, in a statement on Friday, sai, “Immigration Enforcement has issued £74 million worth of civil penalties to employers, including those in the beauty, retail and hospitality sectors in last six months.”

The UK Home Offiice warned that “From October, companies hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers, including in the delivery sector, will be legally required to prevent illegal working by checking that anyone working in their name is eligible to work in the UK.” 

It added, “Those who fail to do so will face fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five years.”

According to the UK Home Office, latest figures show that in the first six months of 2026, Immigration Enforcement arrested over 4,700 illegal workers – the most successful six-month period in British history. 

In July, UK authorities warned that from October 1, employers caught hiring illegal workers as food delivery drivers or construction workers would face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker or five years in prison. 

The UK government said, “Gig economy employers will be legally required to ensure Right to Work checks are undertaken.”