Rishi Sunak launches a crackdown on illegal migrants working on the black market

RISHI Sunak has launched a new crackdown to stop illegal immigrants from working on the black market.

The new nerve center will ensure all government departments work together to stop illegal work and shady benefit payments to people sneaking into the UK.

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It comes as a Whitehall forecast fears the number of Channel migrants arriving this year could nearly double to 80,000.

Last year, 45,756 people came to the UK on small boats.

No10’s new task force will act as a deterrent for those coming to work by preventing access to council housing, bank accounts, the NHS and official documents.

Immigration Secretary Robert Jenrick will lead the group to ensure illegal workers cannot work for delivery companies. as a driver in taxi apps or in places like nail salons and restaurants.

They will also resume data sharing with banks to ensure those here illegally cannot access accounts.

In December, the prime minister announced plans to tackle illegal work and immigration by hiring 200 new staff for the immigration service.

Since then visits have increased by 10 percent and they have made 362 arrests.

Mr Jenrick said the new task force would “tackle individuals who take advantage of the generosity of the UK taxpayer”.

He added: “Illegal work does immeasurable harm to our communities by cheating honest workers out of employment, putting vulnerable people at risk and defrauding public coffers.

“Our immigration authorities are working around the clock to bring those who break our laws to justice.

“It is our priority to take action against this crime and empower law enforcement to remove illegal migrants.”

It comes as senior MPs urged Mr Sunak to increase the number of “safe and legal” routes to boost the government’s chances of finding a legal solution to the small boat crisis.

Senior No 10 officials have put forward options from Tory MPs.

One told Mr Sunak’s deputy chief of staff, Will Tanner, that they believe new legislation will have a better chance of getting through the courts if there are legitimate routes to reach the UK.

One option could be the expansion of safe and legal routes currently only open to some Afghans, Ukrainians and Hong Kongers.

By opening new routes, ministers could claim that anyone arriving in a small boat is theoretically not entitled to real asylum.

MPs also want ministers to increase the number of unaccompanied children allowed into the UK.

Home Office insiders said those schemes were unlikely to be introduced in new legislation aimed at fixing the broken asylum system.