Overview
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a nationwide crackdown on Wednesday that proposes doubling temporary closure orders from six months to 12 months to prevent suspected front businesses reopening before probes finish.
- The package includes a confirmed £30 million for raids, closures, arrests and cash seizures and will support police and trading standards to pursue prosecutions and stronger enforcement on high streets.
- Officials have begun an urgent review of the skilled-worker sponsorship list for sectors frequently flagged as fronts, such as vape shops, barbers and car washes, to check for visa-system abuse and possible licence changes.
- Trading Standards research cited in coverage shows widespread officer awareness of suspected criminal use of retail premises and high levels of intimidation, findings the government says justify stronger and longer closure powers.
- The change must go through a consultation and be enacted by secondary legislation, with outlets reporting different timings for regulations so the consultation and laying of rules are the next milestones to watch.