The government will target hand car washes as part of a new effort to address illegal immigration.
Around 1,000 staff, previously assigned to the now-abandoned Rwanda deportation scheme, will be redeployed to focus on businesses suspected of employing illegal workers.
This initiative aims to increase the return of those without the right to be in the UK and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
It follows a report from the Home Office that found legal operated sites outnumbered non-compliant firms after 87 were fined some £2.5 million for ‘right to work’ offences in 2023.
In response to the latest commitment, the Car Wash Association (CWA) said it “applauds” the new Labour government’s action on illegal workers, but criticised the time it had taken to address the issues, with comments clearly directed at the previous Conservative regime.
Executive director Gordon Balmer said: “In a modern society, there is no place for modern slavery. We welcome the government’s initiative to target businesses employing illegal workers in car washes. However, it is disappointing that it has taken so long to address this well-documented issue.
“The CWA has long been deeply concerned about the persistent presence of non-compliant hand car washes operating illegally and disregarding health and safety standards.
“Despite consistently bringing this matter to the attention of previous Ministers, our concerns were largely ignored.
“We were early supporters and funders of the Responsible Car Wash Scheme, which submitted a comprehensive report to the Home Office in September 2022. Unfortunately, the report did not receive the attention it deserved.”
Balmer added: “We hope this initiative will result in a level playing field for all law-abiding car wash operators, improved conditions for workers, and the closure of non-compliant operators that often serve as fronts for organised crime and money laundering.”
Go to comments