Immigration

Home Office announces operational partnership with delivery giants to combat illegal working

The Home Office has announced a new operational partnership with Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats to help tackle illegal working in the UK’s delivery sector. The agreement is reported to support enforcement efforts by enabling delivery firms to receive information, including the locations of asylum hotels, to help identify misuse. It also introduces enhanced security measures—such as facial verification checks and fraud detection tools—to ensure only verified users can access the platforms. The initiative forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to disrupt organised immigration crime and reduce the exploitation of vulnerable migrants by smuggling gangs. Legislative support is provided through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025, which requires all employers to verify the legal working status of individuals.

Digital distraction and addictions in the workplace

Employment analysis: With smartphones and digital platforms embedded in our day to day lives, more employees are struggling with behavioural addictions. Jen Kingsmill & Charlotte Morgan of Lewis Silkin explore the legal and practical challenges for employers.

Employment weekly highlights—24 July 2025

This edition of Employment weekly highlights includes: (1) an Employment Rights Bill clause amendment voted in favour of by the House of Lords at the Bill’s Report Stage, creating a duty on certain employers to take reasonable steps to investigate any whistleblowing disclosure made to them, (2) a call for evidence on unpaid internships and similar work practices, (3) updated Sponsor Guidance from the Home Office, (4) draft legislation due to come into force in April 2026 to make recruitment agencies jointly and severally liable for PAYE when they supply workers via umbrella companies, (5) analysis by Jen Kingsmill and Charlotte Morgan of Lewis Silkin of the legal and practical challenges for employers of behavioural additions related to the use of smartphones and digital technology generally, (6) a judgment from the Court of Appeal upholding a race discrimination claim against Leicester County Council, (7) the announcement of a planned upgrade closure on 31 July of Employment Tribunals online services, (8) publication by the Lexis+® UK Ireland (Employment) team of a new precedent compromise agreement, together with an accompanying letter to an employee enclosing the draft compromise agreement, and a new subtopic on the European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003 (TUPE), (9) dates for your diary, and (10) other news items of interest to employment practitioners.

Police officer launches legal challenge against union ban

Law360: A police officer is taking the Home Secretary to court over a century-old law that bans officers from unionising, arguing the restriction violates human rights and leaves officers with no credible form of independent representation, lawyers at Leigh Day confirmed on 21 July 2025.