Fifteen illegal workers arrested at solar farm

The government has returned more than 35,000 people with no right to be in the UK since July 2024

Four illegal construction workers have been detained pending their removal from the UK.

Supported by Avon and Somerset Police, the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement team arrested 15 illegal workers at the Goldbeck Solar Farm in Bristol.

The remaining 11 people have been placed on immigration bail with strict reporting conditions, and their employer could face a fine of up to £45,000 per illegal worker. Goldbeck Solar Farm said it had launched an urgent investigation into the incident.

The operation forms part of the government's zero tolerance approach to illegal working under its Plan for Change and follows a 50% surge in visits and arrests since July 2024.

Those arrested were of Kazakhstani, Turkish, Georgian, Uzbekistani, Kyrgyz and Tajikistani nationalities, and 13 had entered the UK on temporary work visas.

All 13 submitted asylum claims prior to their visas expiring. Of these, 10 claims remain outstanding and three claims have been refused.

One individual had entered the UK on a standard visitor visa and claimed asylum - which is still outstanding.

Another individual entered the country on a Turkish ECAA business visa but was arrested for working in breach of his conditions.

The liable employer could face a substantial fine if found to have employed illegal workers and failed to conduct relevant pre-employment checks.

Penalties include a fine of up to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach, and up to a maximum of £60,000 for repeat offending.

'Tough approach'

Dame Angela Eagle, minister for border security, immigration and asylum, said illegal working "will no longer be tolerated" under the Plan for Change.

"We are taking a tough approach to tackling illegal working right across the UK and this operation is just another example of our relentless focus to disrupt immigration offenders.

"From our city centres to rural farmland, there should be no hiding place from the law.

"That's why we have increased arrests, sanctioned rogue employers, and continue to safeguard those exploited from this criminality."

The government has returned more than 35,000 people with no right to be in the UK since July 2024, including failed asylum seekers, immigration and foreign national offenders.

Goldbeck Solar Farm said: "We are taking this seriously and have launched an urgent investigation."