Nigel Farage proposes ‘Deliveroo Law’ to tackle illegal workers
Nigel Farage has outlined a bold plan called a ‘Deliveroo Law,’ which would impose fines amounting to 10 percent of global turnover on major companies found to have hired illegal workers, reports BritPanorama.
The proposal suggests that CEOs could be held personally liable for illegal migrants employed within their organisations, regardless of their claims of ignorance regarding their employees’ status in the UK.
As part of the proposed legislation, Reform UK intends to utilise the funds generated from penalties against businesses that employ illegal workers to support victims of migrant crime and initiatives aimed at revitalising struggling high streets.
Farage also announced plans to establish a ‘Turkish Barber tip line,’ encouraging the public and local businesses to report suspected unlawful employment practices in Britain’s high streets.
Police forces would be required to pursue every tip-off received through this reporting system. Zia Yusuf, the Home Affairs spokesperson for Reform UK, criticized both the Conservative and Labour parties for making Britain a “soft-touch country” for illegal migrants, allowing them to undercut native workers.
Farage asserted that Reform’s penalties would be the most severe in Europe for those who employ illegal migrants, stating, “There are companies whose entire business model is based on profiting from illegal working. It is a slap in the face to the public.” He emphasized that such practices undermine immigration laws, harm job opportunities for British workers, and contribute to the operations of people smugglers in the Channel.
Additionally, the party claims that young British citizens are increasingly excluded from the workforce due to competition with illegal migrants. In response, a spokesperson for Deliveroo stated that they are committed to addressing illegal working and have implemented extensive checks to prevent abuse of their platform.
Meanwhile, a representative from the Home Office reiterated that illegal working not only undermines legitimate businesses but also exploits vulnerable individuals and fosters organized immigration crime. The spokesperson highlighted ongoing efforts to close loopholes allowing such illegal activities, including the expansion of right to work checks within the gig economy and delivery sectors.
They noted that severe repercussions exist for employers breaking the law, including substantial fines, business closures, and potential imprisonment of up to five years. Since July 2024, there has been a marked increase in immigration enforcement activity, with a reported rise of 83 percent in illegal working arrests and 77 percent in enforcement raids.
This proposal underscores ongoing political tensions regarding immigration policy and the balance between legitimate labor needs and the enforcement of immigration laws.
