Draft Legislation Published On Expanded Illegal Working Regime

Draft illegal working legislation confirms proposals to extend the illegal working regime to non-employee workers, self-employed contractors and online job matching platforms. Liability for an illegal working civil penalty is also substantially widened. The potential impact of these changes on businesses is huge, and developments should be closely monitored.

A proposed clause was first published on 7 May 2025 as an amendment paper relating to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. The clause may be amended before the Bill is passed, but provides a detailed insight into the Government's intentions to expand the working relationships within the scope of the illegal working regime, and for liability for an illegal working civil penalty to arise in a broader range of circumstances.