A government minister is appealing to a London council to reconsider its decision regarding the license of an Indian restaurant, Udaya, in East Ham. The restaurant is facing potential closure after a Home Office raid discovered illegal workers on the premises.

Udaya, which has been a part of East Ham's food scene for over 25 years, was fined £180,000 after four individuals without the right to work in the UK were found employed there in June of the previous year. Following the discovery, the Home Office applied to Newham Council to revoke the restaurant's license to sell alcohol and play music. A hearing regarding the license is scheduled for Monday.

Sir Stephen Timms, a Member of Parliament for East Ham and a minister in the Department for Work and Pensions, has written a letter to the council's licensing committee, urging them not to revoke the license. Timms stated that he had been assured that the failure to complete adequate right-to-work checks "was not deliberate" and that the business is a "well-regarded part of Newham's diverse food scene". Timms also mentioned he has visited the Udaya restaurant "on many occasions".

In his letter, Timms acknowledged that the restaurant owner, Prajeesh Kumar, has accepted responsibility for the breach and has taken significant steps to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. These steps may include implementing more stringent right-to-work checks and ensuring all employees have the necessary documentation.

The situation with Udaya is not unique, as the UK government has been cracking down on businesses employing illegal workers, with Indian restaurants being particularly affected. Raids by Immigration Enforcement teams have increased. In January 2025, 828 premises were raided, a 48% increase compared to the previous year, and 609 people were arrested, a 73% increase. This "UK-wide blitz" has extended to various sectors, including restaurants, nail bars, convenience stores, and car washes.

The penalties for hiring illegal workers can be severe, with businesses facing fines of up to £45,000 per worker for the first offense and £60,000 per worker for subsequent offenses. In addition to fines, businesses may also face having their licenses revoked. For example, The Spice Club, another Indian restaurant, had its license removed after undocumented workers were found to be paid below minimum wage and housed in poor conditions.

The Home Office has stated that it is committed to enforcing immigration rules and preventing the exploitation of vulnerable people. They argue that illegal working creates a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives to cross the Channel and undermines the immigration system and the economy. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has emphasized the need to respect and enforce immigration rules, stating that employers have been exploiting illegal migrants for too long.

While the government is focused on cracking down on illegal employment, some argue that revoking licenses can have a detrimental impact on local communities and economies. Supporters of Udaya, like Sir Stephen Timms, highlight the restaurant's positive contribution to Newham's diverse food scene and its importance to the local community. The Newham Council will need to weigh these considerations when making its decision regarding Udaya's license.