#2026/683UK expands illegal working penalties to wider work arrangements
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
The regulations bring into force a rule that expands the UK’s illegal working regime beyond standard employment contracts. From 1 October 2026, the rules will also cover other working arrangements, meaning businesses cannot rely only on whether someone is formally an employee when assessing illegal working risk. Employers and organisations using contractors, platform workers, casual labour or similar arrangements should review right-to-work checks and compliance controls before the start date. The change also expands the scope for civil penalties where illegal working rules are breached.
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Key Changes
- Brings section 48 of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 into force on 1 October 2026
- Extends illegal working rules beyond standard employment contracts to other working arrangements
- Expands potential civil penalty liability for breaches of illegal working rules
Obligations
What this law requires
From 1 October 2026, organisations must treat non-employment working arrangements as within the scope of the UK illegal working regime and must not rely solely on whether an individual is employed under a formal contract of employment when assessing illegal working risk.
Organisations using contractors, platform workers, casual labour or similar arrangements should ensure right-to-work compliance controls cover those working arrangements before the commencement of the expanded illegal working provisions.
From 1 October 2026, organisations within the expanded scope may be liable for civil penalties under section 15 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 where illegal working provisions are breached in working arrangements beyond contracts of employment.