UK Cracks Down on Asylum Seekers Working Illegally as Delivery Riders

In a move to enforce immigration laws, the UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is launching a crackdown on asylum seekers working illegally as food delivery riders. 

The initiative, announced on 23 July, forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen the integrity of the UK’s immigration system and prioritise British workers in the labour market. The government intends to collaborate with major delivery platforms—Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats—to identify and remove riders operating without the required legal authorisation. 

The Home Office will share locations of asylum accommodation with these companies to help detect unauthorised account use and enable suspension of offending profiles. Starmer said the measure will “ensure fairness for British people,” particularly in the gig economy, where illegal employment has become prevalent. 

The action responds to findings that some asylum seekers begin working within hours of arriving in the UK, often bypassing employment restrictions by sharing delivery accounts. Current laws generally prohibit asylum seekers from working while their claims are pending, with limited exceptions after 12 months.

The announcement aligns with reforms outlined in the government’s immigration white paper, published on 12 May. Key proposals include introducing digital IDs and eVisas to streamline enforcement, stricter English language requirements across visa categories, and an increase in the immigration skills charge levied on employers hiring foreign workers. The measures aim to elevate skill standards and reduce reliance on low-skilled migration.