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Home Office agrees to share asylum hotel locations with delivery firms

The UK government will provide addresses of asylum hotels to help prevent illegal working.

July 22, 2025 at 09:10 PM

Home Office U-turn as it agrees to share location of asylum seeker hotels with Deliveroo and Just Eat to crack down on illegal workers

The UK government will now provide addresses of asylum seeker hotels to delivery companies to combat illegal work.

Home Office shares asylum hotel locations with delivery firms

The Home Office has agreed to share the locations of asylum seeker hotels with food delivery services like Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats. This decision aims to help prevent illegal working among migrants residing in these taxpayer-funded accommodations. Previously, Deliveroo had sought this information to block accounts operating from these hotels but was denied due to safety concerns. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that illegal working undermines legitimate businesses and fuels organized crime. This move coincides with a significant increase in raids related to illegal work and the introduction of stricter regulations. Reports indicated that migrants were securing work with delivery companies shortly after arriving in the UK, despite rules banning them from employment while their asylum claims were processed. The government is also exploring the use of facial recognition technology to improve identity verification for these workers.

Key Takeaways

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Home Office will share asylum hotel locations with delivery companies.

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Deliveroo had sought information to block accounts linked to asylum hotels.

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Home Secretary cited illegal working as detrimental to honest business.

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Increased enforcement includes AI technology for better identification of asylum seekers.

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Over 23,000 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, a record high.

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The public response includes protests against the placement of asylum seekers.

"Illegal working undermines honest business, exploits vulnerable individuals and fuels organised immigration crime."

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper discusses the impacts of illegal work.

"Too many people are brazenly breaking the rules and it’s a disgrace that the Home Office is aiding and abetting them."

Shadow Home Office minister Katie Lam criticizes the government's previous inaction.

"This next step of co-ordinated working with delivery firms will help us target those who seek to work illegally in the gig economy."

Eddy Montgomery from the Home Office emphasizes the role of collaboration in enforcement efforts.

"The Home Office has called for increased enforcement alongside this change."

Policy shifts indicate a stronger approach to immigration challenges.

This development highlights the UK government's intensified focus on managing its immigration system amid rising numbers of asylum seekers and increasing public concern. The collaboration with delivery firms represents a shift in strategy, aiming to close the gap between migration policies and the realities faced by migrants entering the labor market. Critics argue the government is moving towards harsher measures without addressing root causes or providing adequate support for vulnerable individuals. There remains a tension between the need for enforcement and the ethical treatment of those seeking asylum.

Highlights

This is a shift in the UK’s response to illegal working.
The Home Office's use of AI raises important ethical questions.
Collaboration with delivery firms could reshape enforcement strategies.
There's a thin line between enforcement and exploitation.

Heightened concerns surrounding illegal employment

The government's decision to share asylum hotel locations may fuel controversy over privacy and the treatment of vulnerable migrants. As responses intensify, the potential for backlash from advocacy groups is significant.

The implications of this decision could reverberate through the UK's migration policy landscape as enforcement measures tighten.

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asylum immigration delivery UK Home Office politics immigration technology

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