LONDON – Reform UK has unveiled one of its toughest immigration proposals to date, pledging to introduce prison sentences for company bosses who employ illegal migrants if the party forms the next Government following the General Election.
The controversial proposal, which the party has branded the “Deliveroo Law,” forms part of Reform UK’s broader promise to crack down on illegal migration, illegal employment, and what it describes as Britain’s “soft-touch” immigration system.
Under the plan, companies found to have employed illegal migrant workers could face fines worth up to 10 per cent of their global revenue, while chief executives and company directors could be held personally criminally liable—even in cases where they claim they were unaware that illegal workers had been hired.
The announcement is expected to become a key pillar of Reform UK’s law-and-order and immigration campaign as the party seeks to distinguish itself from both Labour and the Conservatives.
Reform UK: Britain Has Become a “Soft-Touch” Country
Reform UK’s Home Affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, says Britain’s current immigration enforcement has failed to deter employers from exploiting illegal labour.
According to Yusuf, businesses that knowingly—or through negligence—benefit from illegal workers are helping to fuel illegal migration across the English Channel while simultaneously driving down wages for British workers.
“The Tories and Labour have made Britain the softest-touch country in the world for illegal migrants to undercut British workers,” Yusuf said.
“There are companies whose entire business model is based on profiteering from illegal working.”
He argued that businesses exploiting undocumented workers undermine immigration laws, place pressure on legitimate employers, and encourage criminal smuggling networks that transport migrants into Britain.
What Is the ‘Deliveroo Law’?
The proposal has been nicknamed the “Deliveroo Law” because it focuses heavily on concerns surrounding food delivery platforms and the alleged misuse of rider accounts by illegal migrants.
Over recent years, investigations and parliamentary discussions have highlighted how delivery accounts on platforms such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat have allegedly been rented or sold through online groups to individuals without legal permission to work in the UK.
Some reports suggest undocumented migrants have paid relatively small weekly fees to use another person’s verified delivery account, allowing them to earn money while bypassing standard employment checks.
Columns of electric bikes and scooters displaying delivery company branding have also been reported outside several migrant hotels in parts of London, Bournemouth and other cities, adding to political scrutiny over the issue.
Although the delivery companies have introduced additional identity verification measures and anti-fraud technology, Reform UK argues that stronger criminal penalties are required to eliminate the practice entirely.
CEOs Could Face Criminal Liability
Perhaps the most controversial element of Reform UK’s proposal is its intention to make company executives personally responsible for illegal employment.
Under the policy, chief executives and company directors could face criminal prosecution if their businesses employ illegal migrants—even if they claim they had no direct knowledge of the workers’ immigration status.
The party argues that similar principles already exist in financial regulation, where senior executives can be held accountable for failures occurring under their leadership.
Supporters believe extending that responsibility to immigration enforcement would encourage companies to invest more heavily in compliance systems and verification procedures.
Critics, however, argue that imposing criminal penalties without requiring proof of personal knowledge or intent could create significant legal and practical concerns for businesses operating large workforces.
Massive Financial Penalties
Alongside potential prison sentences, Reform UK’s proposal includes some of the largest corporate fines ever suggested for immigration offences.
Companies found guilty could face penalties equivalent to 10 per cent of their worldwide turnover, a punishment designed to ensure even multinational corporations feel a significant financial impact.
The party says revenue collected through these fines would be redirected towards helping victims of migrant-related crime and funding efforts to revitalise Britain’s struggling high streets.
By linking immigration enforcement with community investment, Reform UK hopes to demonstrate that tougher penalties could generate wider public benefits.
Public Tip Line for Suspected Illegal Working
Another proposal expected to accompany the policy is the creation of what Reform UK calls a “Turkish Barbers tip line.”
The reporting system would allow members of the public to notify authorities if they suspect illegal working or organised immigration-related criminal activity within local businesses.
Police forces would reportedly receive a share of any fines generated from successful investigations, creating a financial incentive for enforcement.
Supporters argue the scheme would encourage greater cooperation between communities and law enforcement.
Opponents, however, have expressed concern that such a reporting system could encourage false accusations, racial profiling, or unnecessary suspicion toward legitimate businesses.
Delivery Companies Respond
Food delivery companies have repeatedly stated that they are working to prevent misuse of their platforms.
Deliveroo says it already performs Right to Work checks, carries out frequent identity verification, and uses advanced fraud detection systems to identify account sharing and illegal activity.
The company has previously confirmed that it removed workers who had improperly sub-let their accounts after investigations uncovered abuses.
Industry representatives maintain that illegal working should be addressed but argue that technology, enforcement and cooperation with government agencies remain the most effective long-term solutions.
Government Says Existing Laws Already Exist
The Home Office has also responded by pointing to measures already introduced by the current Government.
Officials note that right-to-work requirements have been expanded to include more gig economy and delivery sector workers, closing loopholes previously exploited by illegal workers.
Existing legislation already allows employers who knowingly hire illegal migrants to face substantial penalties.
Current sanctions can include fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker, business closures, licence revocations and prison sentences of up to five years in the most serious cases.
Government sources have reportedly dismissed Reform UK’s announcement as largely political, arguing that many of the proposed measures either already exist or are currently being strengthened.
A Divisive Political Debate
The announcement is likely to intensify debate over immigration ahead of the next General Election.
Supporters of Reform UK’s proposals argue that tougher enforcement is necessary to restore confidence in Britain’s immigration system, protect domestic workers, and discourage illegal migration by removing employment opportunities.
Critics counter that existing laws already provide severe penalties for employers and warn that expanding criminal liability could create uncertainty for businesses while failing to address the underlying causes of illegal migration.
The proposal also raises broader questions about balancing border security, labour market enforcement, business responsibility and individual legal protections.
As immigration continues to dominate political discussion, Reform UK’s “Deliveroo Law” is expected to become one of the party’s most closely watched—and fiercely debated—policy commitments during the election campaign.
Whether voters view the proposal as a necessary crackdown or an overly punitive approach may ultimately help shape one of the defining political battles of the coming General Election.