Reform UK announced plans to introduce stringent measures aimed at eradicating illegal working in Britain, including the potential imprisonment of company bosses and substantial fines for firms found employing undocumented migrants. The proposed legislation, dubbed the 'Deliveroo Law,' would hold chief executive officers and directors personally and criminally liable for illegal employment, mirroring accountability for financial misconduct.
The party's Home Affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, is set to outline these proposals, which he stated are designed to counteract what he described as Britain being the "softest-touch country in the world" for illegal migrants undercutting British workers. Reform UK argues that some business models rely on illegal labor, which undermines immigration laws, displaces British workers, and indirectly funds people-smuggling operations.
Under the proposed law, companies convicted of employing illegal migrants would face fines equivalent to 10% of their global revenues. The funds generated from these penalties would be allocated to supporting victims of migrant crime and revitalizing high streets. Yusuf also plans to establish a "Turkish Barbers tip line," encouraging the public to report suspected illegal working and organized criminal activities. Local law enforcement would be incentivized to act on these tips by receiving a portion of any generated fines.
These proposals come as the UK government has been taking steps to address illegal working. In July, legislation was introduced to mandate employer checks on the work status of all employees, including those in the gig economy. Previously, reports emerged in August 2025 of delivery accounts for platforms like Deliveroo and Just Eat being offered to migrants through social media, with migrants reportedly paying as little as £40 weekly for login details.
In April 2024, delivery companies, including Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats, agreed to implement enhanced checks on account sharing and other loopholes following discussions with the Home Office. A spokesperson for Deliveroo stated that the company actively combats illegal working by employing right-to-work checks, multiple daily identity verifications, and fraud-detection technology, urging other industries to adopt similar measures.
A Home Office spokesperson confirmed ongoing efforts to close loopholes, including extending right-to-work checks to the gig economy. The department highlighted that employers violating the law face severe consequences, including fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker, business closure, license revocation, and prison sentences of up to five years.