TWO further arrests have been made in connection with Operation Portaledge, the investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country. This brings the total number of arrests to 52.
On Thursday, 3 July, 2025, police arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with wilful fire-raising to two vehicles on Campion Road and Niddrie Marischal Crescent in Edinburgh on 9 June, 2025. He was released pending further enquiries. This is the second arrest in connection with this incident.
On Friday, 4 July, 2025, around 9.50am, officers executed a warrant in Blantyre and arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with an attempted murder in Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh on Friday 22 May, 2025. This is the third arrest in connection with this incident.
The 49-year-old has also been arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences.
He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 7 July, 2025.
Our five family payments can help families on low incomes get through the school holidays.
The payments also provide year-round support and at key stages in a child’s life.
Long school holidays can be tough for families with the increased costs for food, clothes and activities. Our five family payments can help families on low incomes get through the school holidays.
The payments also provide year-round support and at key stages in a child’s life and include:
Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting families. It’s a weekly payment of £27.15 for every child under 16 years in a household, paid every four weeks.
Scottish Child Payment is not limited to two children. It is available to eligible families with children ages 0 – 16 regardless of how many children there are in the home.
Best Start Foods is a payment of up to £43.20 every four weeks. It helps eligible pregnant women, parents, families and carers with children under the age of 3 to buy healthy foods for their families. People can apply for Best Start Foods as soon as they know they’re pregnant.
The money is provided on a pre-paid card which is topped up every 4 weeks. The card works like a bank card and can be used in local shops and supermarkets that accept card payments.
Early Learning Payment provides £319.80 to help with the costs of early learning, and is paid when a child is aged between 2 and 3 and a half years old. To get this payment your child does not need to go to nursery.
Early Learning Payment is available for multiple children and the money can be used for anything including toys, clothes and trips to new places.
At the end of the holidays, many families will have children starting school for the first time or reaching school age. School Age Payment helps with the costs of starting school and is worth £319.80 per eligible child.
Parents or carers can apply for the current School Age Payment if a child they look after was born between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021.
A child does not have to take up a place at school to get School Age Payment, but people still need to apply in the year that a child is first old enough to start school, if:
‘Ramp-up’ of arrests and visits set to take place across the UK targeting migrants working illegally
Enforcement teams are gearing up to launch a nationwide blitz targeting illegal working hotspots, with a focus on the gig economy and migrants working as delivery riders.
Under the Government’s Plan for Change to restore order to the immigration system and tougher enforcement of the rules, Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams will launch a major operation to disrupt this type of criminality.
Strategic, intel-driven activity will bring together officers across the UK and place an increased focus on migrants suspected of working illegally whilst in taxpayer funded accommodation or receiving financial support.
The law is clear that asylum seekers are only entitled to this support if they would otherwise be destitute. That is why anyone caught flagrantly abusing the system in this way, as a result of the operation, will face having support discontinued, whether that’s entitlement to accommodation or payments.
Operational teams will target certain hotspots across the country over a period of intensification, as well as going after organisations who wilfully employ those working illegally, through civil penalty referrals. Any business found to be illegally employing someone could face a fine of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five years.
The Government has been surging action against illegal working since coming into power one year ago, with 10,031 illegal working visits leading to 7,130 arrests, marking a 48% and 51% rise respectively, compared to the year before (5 July 2023 to 28 June 2024). This marks the first time in a 12-month period where more than 10,000 visits have taken place.
748 illegal working civil penalty notices were also handed to businesses caught violating immigration rules in the first quarter (January to March) of the year, marking the highest level since 2016 – an 81% increase compared to the same time last year.
And the Government is tightening the law by making it a legal requirement for all companies, including the gig economy, to check anyone working for them has the legal right to do so. This will end the abuse of flexible working arrangements. The new measures will be introduced through the landmark Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, said: “Illegal working undermines honest business and undercuts local wages – the British public will not stand for it and neither will this government.
“Often those travelling to the UK illegally are sold a lie by the people smuggling gangs that they will be able to live and work freely in this country, when in reality they end up facing squalid living conditions, minimal pay and inhumane working hours.
“We are surging enforcement action against this pull factor, on top of returning 30,000 people with no right to be here and tightening the law through our Plan for Change.
“But there is no single solution to the problem of illegal migration. That’s why we’ve signed landmark agreements with international partners to dismantle gangs and made significant arrests of notorious people smugglers.”
Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime, Eddy Montgomery, said: “Our dedicated Immigration Enforcement officers have been ramping up action to disable illegal working across the board.
“This next step of co-ordinated activity will target those who seek to work illegally in the gig economy and exploit their status in the UK.
“That means if you are found to be working with no legal right to do so, we will bring the full force of powers available to us to disrupt and stop this abuse. There will no place to hide.”
This targeted action is on top of ongoing work across the country to disrupt people flouting the rules across different sectors.
Earlier this week, during a joint operation with the Metropolitan Police to go after people suspected of working illegally as cash in hand builders, officers targeted anti-social behaviour and illegally modified scooters and e-bikes.
20 Indian nationals were arrested as part of the operation. This included 16 overstayers, one illegal entrant, one port absconder and two small boat arrivals.
On 18 June, West Midlands teams conducted an operation on Smethwick High Street after receiving intelligence on a major collection point for people suspected of going to work illegally, primarily on construction sites.
The team encountered 73 individuals, arresting 26 suspected immigration offenders (24 Indian nationals, one Nepalese national and one Italian national). This led to the detention of 11 Indian nationals.
And on 12 June, East of England teams conducted a multi-agency operation with police in Lynn Road, Wisbech, focusing on cash in hand builders using illegally modified e-bikes. They carried out 21 immigration checks which resulted the arrest of three men, including one Syrian, one Chinese and one Brazilian national.
The police went on to seize six mopeds and one car for offences including driving with no insurance, no driving licence and disqualification.
The crackdown also sits alongside key join up with the delivery industry on tackling illicit account sharing. On Monday, 30 June , the Home Office and Department for Business and Trade met with major delivery firms and pledged to strengthen security checks to tackle illegal working.
Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat have committed to increasing the number of daily facial recognition checks riders are required to take to verify their identity.
Illegal working is linked to exploitation, with teams often encountering squalid living conditions, people receiving little to no pay and inhumane working hours. In the worst instances, these individuals may be victims of modern slavery.
Immigration Enforcement take a number of steps to spot the signs of individuals who are potentially being exploited and, where appropriate, will refer people to the National Referral Mechanism so they can access support. They also work closely with crucial partners like the Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority, to share insights and strengthen the approach to tackling labour exploitation.
And this new operation is just one part of the government’s action to strengthen UK border security and disable the people smuggling gangs fuelling illegal migration.
Over the past year, the government says the Prime Minister has been resetting relationships and forging partnerships across Europe and beyond, to ensure a targeted international response in breaking the model behind this vile trade.
Furthermore, nearly 30,000 people with no right to be in UK have been returned, landmark agreements have been signed with Iraq to dismantle gangs and Italy to take down illicit finance networks and a world-first people smuggling sanctions regime has been launched to ban travel and freeze assets.
The City of Edinburgh Council is inviting residents and stakeholders to take part in a consultation on the city’s Affordable Housing Policy (AHP).
Edinburgh led the way by becoming the first local authority in Scotland to introduce an AHP in 2000. Under the current policy, housing developments with 12 or more homes must include 35% affordable housing.
Today, the city faces growing housing pressures – higher than average rents and house prices, a low proportion of social housing, and over 5,000 households in temporary accommodation. The city also has a lower proportion of social rented homes – just 16% compared to the Scottish average of 22%.
The Council is reviewing the policy’s non-statutory elements and is seeking public feedback on the next version of the Affordable Housing Guidance, due to be considered by the Planning Committee in November 2025.
Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: “Too many people and families in Edinburgh are struggling to find a stable and affordable place to live, and too many are still in temporary accommodation.
“We are making progress, however, there is much more to do to meet the increasing demand for housing in Edinburgh.
“That is why I am encouraging people to participate in the consultation and share their views to influence how we shape our communities and deliver the much needed affordable homes our city and citizens need.”
The month-long celebration originated in Boston, USA in 1990 and the UK in Belfast in 2015.
Disability Pride means various things to each individual and can be celebrated in various ways, however, crucially it is a way for the disabled community to come together for both positivity and support, to raise awareness of the difficulties and barriers sadly encountered by people with disabilities, and to educate on how to reduce ableism and increase allyship.
Council Leader, Jane Meagher said: “With one in five people in the UK living with a disability, Disability Pride Month is an important time for us all to recognise and celebrate the contributions, identities, and experiences of disabled LGBTQ+ people in our city and beyond.
“Disability pride can mean different things for many; this month is a way of shining a spotlight on the barriers and discrimination disabled people face. Too often, they face multiple obstacles from access to social exclusion.
“Edinburgh is a city that values diversity in all its forms, and as a Disability Confident Employer, I’m committed to making sure everyone feels they belong. That means listening to those with lived experience, removing obstacles – physical and social – and creating a culture where difference is respected.”
Draft plan to tackle nature loss, climate change and pollution
Members of the public are being asked to have their say on proposals aimed at boosting the health, prosperity and wellbeing of communities by improving Scotland’s environment.
The draft Environment Strategy sets out the opportunities for strengthening Scotland’s economy and improving people’s lives as a result of restoring and regenerating biodiversity, cutting levels of pollution and waste, supporting national net zero targets and improving Scotland’s environmental impact on countries across the world.
It includes key government actions which aim to support green jobs and industries, tackle poverty and promote social justice including:
the transition to a circular economy through the reuse and repurposing of materials
increasing renewable energy generation in Scotland and supporting industrial decarbonisation with independent scenarios from Ernst and Young (EY), showing that with the right support, Scotland’s low carbon and renewable energy sector could support nearly 80,000 jobs by 2050
projects to restore nature – including those supported through the Nature Restoration Fund – which are also improving people’s physical and mental wellbeing by providing greater access to nature
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said: “This draft Environment Strategy sets out ways in which Government action will help tackle the nature crisis, as well as reduce pollution and support our net zero targets.
“These issues are interlinked, and by tackling them together we can protect our planet in ways that improve people’s health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities, and create new opportunities for business and investment.
“We have already made significant progress in improving Scotland’s environment. We have cut pollution levels by banning a number of the most problematic single-use plastic products and introduced Low Emission Zones.
“Scotland’s energy grid is also greener, thanks to the increase in the amount of renewable energy we now generate, we are more than halfway to reaching net zero by 2045, and our forthcoming Natural Environment Bill will introduce new statutory targets for restoring nature.
“However there is still much more we can do – and it is vital we tackle these global crises in ways that create wider benefits for Scotland – supporting green jobs and industries, improving people’s health, tackling poverty and promoting social justice.
“I urge everyone with an interest to have their say on the proposals.”
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes said: “This draft Strategy shows how we can achieve both our environmental and our economic ambitions for Scotland, highlighting the business and investment opportunities that will flow as we move to a net zero, nature positive future.”
The 2025 What Kids Are Reading report includes insights from over 40,000 pupils in Scotland, and reveals children using structured reading programmes read 20.7 books a year, compared to just three books for UK adults
Children’s favourite books are harder—and they’re reading them better
From Wimpy Kid to Rashford: the books and authors inspiring a new generation of readers
The 2025 What Kids Are Reading report, published today by leading edtech provider Renaissance, includes data from over 40,000 pupils in Scotland and reveals how children’s reading habits are evolving across the UK and Ireland.
Drawing on data from over 1.2 million pupils, the report shows that five years on from the disruption of lockdown, young readers are engaging with more challenging books—and understanding them better.
Although the number of books read has declined slightly year-on-year, pupils still read on average 20.7 books a year—far more than the median UK adult, who reads just three.
In schools using Accelerated Reader, a structured programme that supports reading practice and comprehension, quiz scores have improved since last year. Primary pupils are now achieving 80% accuracy on reading quizzes (up from 77% last year), while secondary pupils have reached 72% (up from 69%).
Pupils are also scoring highest on their favourite books, many of which are more challenging than their most-read titles. In Year 5, for example, favourite books had a reading level nearly two years above the average for that age group, with quiz accuracy reaching 94%.
These patterns suggest that when pupils are given the freedom to choose books they love, they rise to the challenge—and understand them deeply.
Additional insights from the National Literacy Trust’s Annual Literacy Survey, included in the report, show that while overall reading enjoyment has declined to 35%, its lowest level since 2005, Accelerated Reader users buck the trend.
Among pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), 37% of those using Accelerated Reader say they enjoy reading, compared to 32% of their peers.
A similar pattern appears among boys, with 31% of Accelerated Reader participants reporting enjoyment, versus 27% of non-participants—suggesting structured support may be helping to close the enjoyment gap.
This What Kids Are Reading report also shows how children’s reading habits are changing. Jeff Kinney remains the most-read author across UK schools, with Diary of a Wimpy Kid still topping the charts.
But newer voices are gaining ground. Titles by Marcus Rashford, Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara and Matt Oldfieldare now among the most-read books in schools.
Books such as The Breakfast Club Adventures, Little People, BIG DREAMS, and Black Men in Science mean more pupils are seeing their experiences reflected in the stories they read—supporting not only literacy development but also helping pupils see themselves in the stories they read—fostering confidence, connection, and a lifelong love of reading.
Crispin Chatterton, Director of Education at Renaissance, said: “This year’s What Kids Are Reading report highlights the real progress schools are making in helping children read with greater understanding.
“It’s especially encouraging to see disadvantaged pupils reporting higher enjoyment of reading in school—showing how targeted support can help more children build confidence and enjoyment in reading.
“At Renaissance, we’re proud to work alongside schools to create inclusive, engaging reading experiences that help all pupils succeed.”
Professor Keith Topping, author of the report, commented: “This year’s findings are encouraging. The narrowing of the enjoyment gap, particularly among disadvantaged pupils, suggests that structured reading time and access to tools like Accelerated Reader are making a real difference.
“When pupils enjoy reading, they read more — and when they read more, they achieve more.”
Young people who have been leading a campaign to remove shame from conversations about relationships and online safety have celebrated their achievements with an event at Clydebank Town Hall.
The Shameless Youths campaign, involving 17 young people supported by NSPCC Scotland, in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Youth Council and West Dunbartonshire Council, launched last November.
It was set up to support parents and carers, professionals and young people to have realistic, judgement free and informed conversations about healthy relationships, on and offline.
During the past six months the group of young people from West Dunbartonshire Youth Council have spread their message of healthy relationships, including what consent online looks like, through their web pages, video content, social media, posters and leaflets.
They have reached at least 470 professionals, 104 parents and carers, 365 young people, and had 2,334 views of their video.
The group, who named their campaign ‘Shameless Youths’, also worked with Glasgow artist Maya Rose Edwards to help create sculptures and other artworks that were displayed at Clydebank Town Hall earlier this year.
At the event, on June 26, Shameless Youths took to the stage to explain their goals and motivation for getting involved and what they have enjoyed most and gained from the experience.
Ilse Sanchez Posso, Lead Officer with Violence Against Women and Girls, and West Dunbartonshire Provost, Karen Murray Conaghan, also spoke about why the campaign matters to West Dunbartonshire.
Euan MacLaren, NSPCC Campaigns Officer in Scotland, said: “The young people of Shameless Youths have been amazing to work with. They have engaged with a challenging topic head-on with courage, determination and a passion for change.
“They have inspired parents, carers and professionals across West Dunbartonshire and beyond to have positive, supportive conversations with the young people in their lives, and helped young people understand what healthy relationships look like.
“It’s been an honour to work with the West Dunbartonshire Youth Council. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them.”
Rhianna (16), a member of the Shameless Youths group, said: “There’s been lots of fun moments working on this campaign, including making the video. It has really strengthened our bonds.
“Working with Maya was also incredible; they were brilliant at engaging us and allowing our voices to be heard. It’s been lovely to see how many people we’ve reached with the campaign; it’s really inspiring.”
Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “While many children are confident online, technology is constantly evolving, and it is important for groups like this to raise awareness to the benefit and the dangers of being online.
“Shameless Youths is sending a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges to create an online world where children and young people feel safe, included and empowered and I thank them for raising awareness of this important subject.”
West Dunbartonshire Provost, Karen Murray Conaghan, said: “Keeping young people safe online is essential and the Shameless Youths should be very proud of everything they’ve achieved to advocate for others.
“It’s brilliant that they have been willing to step up and give voice to what’s important to them.
“They have done a great job of working together collaboratively to spread some very important messages including letting other young people know that if things do go wrong help is available.”
Resources for parents, carers, professionals and young people will continue to be available on the Shameless Youths website. The campaign also has plans to reach more young people and adults over the next year.
If you are worried about the welfare of ayoung person, contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk.
Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
The Shameless Youths campaign was led by a group of 17 young people aged 15 to 20. They named it ‘Shameless Youths’ because they want to be supported, not shamed or judged for their choices, even when something went wrong or mistakes happened.
Scottish charity TechFest invites students aged 16-18 worldwide to enter STEM NEXT, its annual essay competition celebrating ideas and passions in science, arts or humanities.
TechFest is a charity that embraces challenges, delivering STEM-based initiatives created in partnership with industry and education to shape the future workforce.
Wendy Findlay, National Programme Manager at TechFest, said: “I’ve met so many young people with brilliant ideas and real potential to drive change, especially in STEM, but often they don’t see it in themselves.Through the STEM NEXT competition, we’re not just offering a challenge, we’re giving them the support and real-world connections to help them build confidence and see a future for themselves in these industries.”
Scottish charity, TechFest, challenges students from around the world to take part in its annual essay competition, STEM NEXT, as part of its mission to empower young people to share their ideas across science, arts and humanities.
Students aged 16–18 are invited to submit a 1000-3000 word essay on a topic of their choice within one of the three main categories: Energy & Innovation, Medicine & Psychology or Chemistry & Biological Sciences.
The competition presents an independent challenge for students, offering them a platform to sharpen their research and writing skills while building better critical thinking and communication, which prove to be essential for future studies and careers.
Besides promoting and developing research, analysis, and communication skills within the participants, the solo digital competition offers them a unique chance to interview and engage directly with industry professionals, gaining valuable first-hand insight into their chosen field.
The project, held in partnership with CNOOC International, Serica Energy, SSE Renewables and Thistle Wind Partnership, will officially commence on the 16th of June with the deadline for submissions 29th of August.
TechFest is a charity that embraces challenges, delivering STEM-based initiatives created in partnership with industry and education to shape the future workforce.
Wendy Findlay, National Programme Manager at TechFest, said: “The STEM NEXT competition isn’t just about essays, it’s about unlocking the potential of young people who are genuinely excited about STEM but often unsure of where to start.
“As someone involved in this project, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is for students to have a role model. Someone they can talk to directly, learn from, and show them that a career in STEM is within reach. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience, to watch a young child’s confidence grow and know you played a part.”
Mike Seaton, Project Director, Coire Glas at SSE Renewables said: “STEM NEXT is helping develop the skilled talent we’ll need to tackle real-world challenges.
“That’s why we believe it’s vital to engage young minds early, encouraging them to think creatively and practically about the future, especially as we work towards a more sustainable, renewable energy landscape.”
Victoria Allan, Mechanical Engineer at CNOOC International, said: “We’re eager to hear bold, practical ideas from young minds who will shape the future.
“We can’t wait to see the innovative solutions this year’s participants bring to the table.”
Elise Murray, Environmental and Compliance Advisor at Serica Energy, said: “Innovative ideas and fresh perspectives have never been more crucial for our industry.
” STEM NEXT empowers young people to question the norm and create solutions that will propel the sector ahead, all while inspiring the future leaders of STEM.”
Kirsty MacAulay, Communications Manager at Thistle Wind Partners, said: “As a Scottish based developer, we’re thrilled about the opportunity to hear inspiring ideas from Scotland’s youth.
“Scotland has a proud tradition of innovation and leadership in shaping the future, and we’re eager to see how the next generation continues this legacy”
Young people competing in the STEM Next competition are eligible for CREST Awards and it also provides an opportunity for students to add additional achievements to their UCAS application.
Moreover, the 1st place winners in each category will be awarded with £200 of Amazon vouchers, 2nd place winners in each category will be awarded with £100 of Amazon vouchers, and 3rd place winners in each category will be awarded with £50 of Amazon vouchers.
Students and volunteers who would like to participate must register their interest via the website by TONIGHT – 4th JULY 2025 at:
A suspected people-smuggling gang has been arrested for allegedly using false identity documents to smuggle hundreds of people into the UK illegally, luring them into a life of exploitation and misery.
On Tuesday 1 July, Immigration Enforcement officers executed warrants in Greater London, and Batley, West Yorkshire and arrested 7 suspects. The targets are believed to have used forged passports and visas of people with legitimate status in the UK to facilitate their illegal arrival, and subsequent employment in black market businesses.
The gang is believed to have facilitated the illegal entry of over 500 people with no right to be in the UK.
Their alleged money-grabbing scheme is believed to have developed into a wide-scale, dangerous criminal network operating across the country, with the 5 men and 3 women believed to have sent fake documents to beneficiaries to evade detection from law enforcement.
The gang, who largely targeted Gambian nationals, are also suspected of re-using the fraudulent documents for different imposters hoping to make it to the UK illegally, with an ongoing investigation revealing a substantial quantity of images of passports found on the main suspect’s mobile phone.
From booking flights to housing the migrants on arrival and providing them with illegal work, the gang provided a full service and charged around £5,000 per person.
This particular gang, like many others, is believed to be charging substantial fees for arranging illegal entry to the UK, with the main suspect believed to have a turnover of over £1.3m in his bank account despite claiming to only earn £35,000 a year working for a furniture manufacturing company.
Another suspect is believed to have a turnover of over £1m across two bank accounts whilst simultaneously receiving Universal Credit. A further investigation will be launched in order to recover the profits made by this suspected organised criminal gang.
At the various addresses visited, officers seized several counterfeit identity documents which are believed to have been used in this criminal scheme.
These arrests form part of this government’s Plan for Change to strengthen the UK’s border security, which is already delivering results, with almost 30,000 people with no right to be here returned since the election and a turbocharge in immigration enforcement activity across the country which has led to a 51% increase in the number of illegal working arrests.
Organised criminal gangs who are driven by profit often go to extreme lengths to make their cash, disregarding the safety of humans. The suspects in this case are believed to have been exploiting those they promised to help by forcing them to work in private homes under their control, leaving the survivors trapped in unsafe situations and exhausted for little or no pay.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle said: “This operation is a clear display that we will not stand by and let evil criminal gangs abuse our immigration system.
“This suspected gang promised their beneficiaries a better life here in the UK. Instead, they face heinous levels of exploitation which is exactly why we are working with law enforcement to ensure survivors of modern slavery are supported and the criminal gangs face justice.
“Our Border Security Command has £280m of additional funding over the next 4 years to deliver the step-change required to break their business models and deliver our Plan for Change to restore order to the immigration system.
Ben Ryan, Chief Operating Officer at Medaille Trust, said: “Medaille Trust is delighted to have collaborated on this operation and to have played a part in ensuring that victims were identified and supported to begin their recovery as survivors.
“We believe that collaborative efforts like this between the Home Office and civil society provide a model for confronting the evils of modern slavery; with a focus on both pursuing abusers and recognising and supporting survivors.”
Border Force and other law enforcement agencies are working around the clock to strengthen UK border security, and intercept and prevent criminal activity. pic.twitter.com/NffbcRQwey
The Home Office’s Criminal Financial Investigations team works closely with charities like Medaille Trust to support the victims of organised crime by keeping them at the heart of any investigation, providing invaluable expertise and support to the most vulnerable.
Through closer collaboration we are able to identify victims and offer them a safe haven to come forward about the abuse they have faced. Medaille Trust provide refuge and freedom from modern slavery and are one of the largest providers of supported safe house beds for victims of modern slavery in the UK.
Cracking down on abuse of the immigration system is central to securing the UK’s borders. As set out in the Immigration White Paper in May, the UK government will introduce tighter controls, restrictions, and scrutiny of those who attempt to abuse and misuse the immigration system.
This includes strengthening border security by rolling out digital identity for all overseas citizens through the implementation of eVisas and new systems for checking visa compliance.
