Key Highlights
- The Government Acts on Abuse of Account Sharing
- Enhanced Security Measures Roll Out
- Impact on Asylum Seekers and Legal Framework
- Business Penalties and Compliance Requirements
- Industry Response and Implementation Timeline
- Broader Immigration Strategy Context
- Technology and Detection Methods
- Conclusion
The UK food delivery app deal is a significant change towards the approach to identifying those who immigrate in ways that are not acceptable. On July 22, 2025, the Home Office also revealed a radical collaboration with the largest delivery platforms to address unauthorised work in the gig economy.
The Government Acts on Abuse of Account Sharing
The new operational collaboration entails three massive operations in the sector: Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats. Now, these companies will obtain sensitive information concerning the locations of asylum hotels to find possible cases of misuse of accounts.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated, "Illegal working undermines honest business, exploits vulnerable individuals, and fuels organised immigration crime." The project follows disclosures that asylum seekers are already illegally employed within hours of landing in the UK.
Enhanced Security Measures Roll Out
The enhanced security measures roll out:
Facial Recognition Technology Implementation
The delivery platforms are committed to reinforcing their verification systems, including:
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Daily identity checks (upgraded from monthly for Just Eat)
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High-level facial recognition software, online fraud monitoring systems
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Suspension of accounts on the spot for committing inappropriate actions
Also Read: Most Common Reasons For UK Visa Rejection: Don’t Make These
Data Sharing Protocol
On the food delivery app arrangement in the UK, companies get access to:
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Asylum accommodation deals with
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Hotel proximity location data
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Suspicious activity pattern recognition
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Fine-tuned right-to-work checking systems
Security Measure |
Before Agreement |
After Agreement |
Identity Checks |
Monthly (Just Eat) |
Daily across all platforms |
Facial Recognition |
Basic verification |
Advanced AI-powered systems |
Data Access |
Limited company data |
Government asylum hotel locations |
Response Time |
Standard processing |
Real-time suspension capability |
Enforcement Statistics Reveal Scale of Problem
Recent government data shows the magnitude of illegal working in food delivery:
Metric |
2024 Figures |
% Change |
Enforcement visits |
10,000+ |
+50% increase |
Arrests made |
7,130 |
Significant rise |
Civil penalty notices (Q1 2025) |
750 |
+80% year-on-year |
Accounts suspended |
Thousands |
Ongoing removals |
Home Office carried out more than 4,000 immigration raids during the first three quarters of 2023, compared with 70 per cent in 2022.381 arrests from specific enforcement targeting the food delivery sector.
Also Read: Dream Big and Get Your UK Work Visa for Indians
Impact on Asylum Seekers and Legal Framework
The impact of asylum seekers and the legal framework:
Current Legal Restrictions
There are strict restrictions on employment for asylum seekers:
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No employment for the first 12 months in the UK
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Until approval to apply for asylum, no employment is allowed.
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Destitution-conditional financial assistance
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Instant reaction to the violation of the rules
Border Security Minister Angela Eagle confirmed a "zero-tolerance approach to illegal working" that "undercuts honest business, hits people's wages and plays into the hands of people-smuggling gangs".
Business Penalties and Compliance Requirements
The business penalties and compliance requirements are:
Financial Consequences for Employers
The punishment of companies that use illegal immigrants is harsh:
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The penalties include up to 60,000 pounds per illegal worker
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Director disqualifications could happen
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Terms of imprisonment as long as 5 years
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Civil penalty notices are issued every quarter
Also Read: A Complete Guide to UK Family Visa
Upcoming Legislative Changes
The government's Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill will mandate:
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All companies in the gig economy would be required to check their legal verification requirements
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All-encompassing right-to-work verification of all employees
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Seal the loopholes of the flexible working arrangement.
Industry Response and Implementation Timeline
The industry response and implementation timeline are:
Company Commitments
A Deliveroo spokesperson confirmed, "Deliveroo has led the sector in introducing security measures to prevent abuse of our platform and tackle sophisticated criminals seeking new ways to exploit all delivery platforms' systems".
Company |
Specific Measures |
Timeline |
Deliveroo |
Enhanced verification quantity/sophistication |
90 days |
Uber Eats |
Upgraded facial recognition systems |
90 days |
Just Eat |
Daily checks (from monthly) |
90 days |
The Home Office will conduct regular progress meetings with all three companies in the coming weeks.
Broader Immigration Strategy Context
This UK food delivery contract service is within the broader immigration reforms:
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In the previous year, there was a return of 35,000 persons who had no right to stay in the country
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Small boats migrant returning agreement in New France
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Full-check background avenues of legal migration
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Immigration raids and arrests increased by 50 per cent.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on July 23: "We're cracking down on migrants working illegally as food delivery riders. We will do what it takes to ensure fairness for British people".
Also Read: Get Your UK Visitor Visa Fast and Easy
Technology and Detection Methods
The technology and detection methods are:
Advanced Monitoring Systems
The collaboration facilitates the advanced tracking functions:
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Surrounding analysis of asylum hotels
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Pattern matching abuse of accounts
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Work-time identity checking in real time
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Automated automatic suspension of violations
Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement at the Home Office, explained, "This coordinated 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".
Conclusion
The agreement with the UK food delivery app is a historic pivot in addressing illegal employment involving the collaboration of the population and businesses. This holistic measure combines technological advancement and upgraded information communication to save honest workers while preserving the integrity of immigration laws. The initiative's success depends on consistent implementation across all platforms and continued government oversight to ensure compliance with the new verification standards.
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