UK signs agreement with food delivery apps to curb illegal working of immigrants

The UK government has signed a new operational agreement with major food delivery platforms, Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats, as part of a broader plan to stop illegal working of migrants. The Home Office announced the partnership on July 22, stating that the move aims to prevent account sharing by individuals who have no legal right to work in the country.

Under this agreement, delivery firms will now receive access to location data of asylum hotels to help identify potential misuse. Any delivery rider found sharing accounts with unauthorised workers will be suspended immediately.

Companies strengthen identity checks


The delivery platforms have already been running real-time identity and Right to Work verification systems. Thousands of accounts have been removed in recent months, but the government said abuse still persists. The new partnership will allow firms to improve fraud detection and suspend accounts showing patterns of misuse.

This step follows a roundtable discussion last month chaired by Ministers, during which companies committed to additional security layers. These include facial recognition tools and other checks to ensure only verified workers access the platforms.

‘Illegal work supports organised crime,’ says the UK Government

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said, “Illegal working undermines honest business, exploits vulnerable individuals and fuels organised immigration crime. By enhancing our data sharing with delivery companies, we are taking decisive action to close loopholes and increase enforcement.”

Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement at the Home Office, added, “This next step of co-ordinated working with delivery firms will help us target those who seek to work illegally in the gig economy and exploit their status in the UK.”

Delivery firms commit full support

All three companies involved have stated their commitment to preventing illegal activity.

• A Deliveroo spokesperson said, “We are fully committed to working with the government as we continue to collectively combat illegal working.”
• A Just Eat spokesperson said, “We are working closely with the Home Office and our industry partners to address any loopholes in the industry’s checks.”
• An Uber Eats spokesperson said, “We are constantly reviewing our tools and finding new ways to detect and take action on people who are trying to work illegally.”

Rise in raids and penalties for illegal work

According to the Home Office, more than 10,000 enforcement visits have been carried out in the past year - an increase of 50% compared to the previous year. These led to 7,130 arrests.

In the first quarter of 2025, nearly 750 civil penalty notices were issued to businesses employing people without legal work status. This marks the highest level since 2016 and an 80% increase year-on-year.

Tougher legal framework on the way

As part of the government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, it will become a legal requirement for all companies, including those in the gig economy, to verify the legal right to work for every worker. The aim is to close gaps that have allowed misuse of flexible working arrangements.

Part of broader immigration crackdown

The crackdown on illegal work is one aspect of the government’s broader border security policy. Over the past year, 35,000 individuals with no right to stay in the UK have been returned, including failed asylum seekers and foreign offenders.

The UK has also signed a new agreement with France to return migrants arriving via small boats and introduce a legal route for migration, with all individuals subject to full background checks.