Open consultation

Extending the Right to Work Scheme

• From: Home Office, Immigration Enforcement and Alex Norris MP
• Published: 29 October 2025

Summary

The government is consulting with employers on extending right to work checks to the 'gig economy' to prevent illegal working.

This consultation closes at
11:59pm on 10 December 2025

Consultation description

Through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, the government is strengthening enforcement of the rules to clamp down on illegal working. 

This means that for the first time, the requirement to carry out right to work checks will be extended to cover businesses hiring ‘gig economy’ and zero-hours workers in sectors like construction, food delivery, beauty salons, courier services and warehousing.

This consultation seeks views on:

• how this change should be operationalised and enforced
• how processes can be simplified to make it easier for employers to fulfil their responsibilities

This will give businesses the opportunity to help shape the guidance and the statutory codes of practice. These underpin the right to work checks that will be required to confirm that individuals have the right to work in the UK.

Documents

Prevention of illegal working: Extending the Right to Work Scheme to other working arrangements

HTML

Extending the Right to Work Scheme to other working arrangements: consultation questions

ODT, 33.7 KB

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Ways to respond

Respond online

or

Email to:

righttorentandrighttowork@homeoffice.gov.uk

Published 29 October 2025