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A record 1,948 companies in the UK lost the right to sponsor foreign workers between July 2024 and June 2025, more than double the 937 licences revoked in the previous year, official figures show. The move is part of a government crackdown on abuse of the immigration system.
Data from the Home Ministry indicates that many employers were using work visas to help migrants bypass immigration rules, while also undercutting local workers by underpaying and exploiting migrant staff who depend on their visas to remain in the UK. The highest levels of abuse were found in adult social care, hospitality, retail and construction.
The number of licence revocations has risen sharply from 261 in 2021-22 and 247 in 2022-23. Officials expect the figure for the current year to exceed the record again. Alongside licence cancellations, the government is expanding penalties for employers, including financial fines, business closure orders and potential prosecution.
The action follows a separate announcement that the UK will restrict visas for countries unwilling to take back migrants with no legal right to remain. Authorities also reported a 51% rise in illegal working arrests over the past year, with 35,000 people removed from the UK — a 13% increase compared to the previous year.
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“Those who abuse our immigration system must face the strongest possible consequences. We will not hesitate to ban companies from sponsoring workers from overseas where this is being done to undercut British workers and exploit vulnerable staff. My message to unscrupulous employers is clear: these shameful practices will not be tolerated,” Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp MP said.
Officials said improved data and intelligence sharing has led to more enforcement, moving away from reliance on physical compliance visits. Employers lost licences for offences such as underpaying workers, helping migrants bypass immigration checks, and failing to provide promised jobs.
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Data from the Home Ministry indicates that many employers were using work visas to help migrants bypass immigration rules, while also undercutting local workers by underpaying and exploiting migrant staff who depend on their visas to remain in the UK. The highest levels of abuse were found in adult social care, hospitality, retail and construction.
The number of licence revocations has risen sharply from 261 in 2021-22 and 247 in 2022-23. Officials expect the figure for the current year to exceed the record again. Alongside licence cancellations, the government is expanding penalties for employers, including financial fines, business closure orders and potential prosecution.
The action follows a separate announcement that the UK will restrict visas for countries unwilling to take back migrants with no legal right to remain. Authorities also reported a 51% rise in illegal working arrests over the past year, with 35,000 people removed from the UK — a 13% increase compared to the previous year.
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
“Those who abuse our immigration system must face the strongest possible consequences. We will not hesitate to ban companies from sponsoring workers from overseas where this is being done to undercut British workers and exploit vulnerable staff. My message to unscrupulous employers is clear: these shameful practices will not be tolerated,” Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp MP said.
Officials said improved data and intelligence sharing has led to more enforcement, moving away from reliance on physical compliance visits. Employers lost licences for offences such as underpaying workers, helping migrants bypass immigration checks, and failing to provide promised jobs.
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