Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Reform UK Vows Jail for Bosses Hiring Illegal Workers
In the United Kingdom, a political party called Reform UK is making big promises.
It wants to be in charge after the next general election, which is when people vote for the government.
Reform UK says some companies hire workers who are not allowed to work in the country.
It says this is unfair because it takes jobs away from British people.
Reform UK wants bosses of those companies to go to jail.
It also wants big companies to pay a huge fine — ten percent of all the money the company makes anywhere in the world.
The party wants people to be able to call a special hotline to report companies, and get a reward if the report leads to a conviction.
The government, through the Home Office, says it is already fixing this problem.
The Home Office says it has increased raids and arrests, catching many more people who work illegally.
So Reform UK and the government disagree about whether new laws are needed.
Reform UK has pledged to jail company bosses who employ illegal workers and fine large businesses up to 10 per cent of their global revenue if it wins the next general election.
Under the plan, chief executives and directors would face criminal liability under a 'strict liability' system, even without proof they knew workers' immigration status.
Reform's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf said the measures target companies, particularly in the delivery and gig economy sectors, that profit from illegal labour.
The party also proposed a public reporting hotline for suspected illegal working, with people who provide information leading to successful prosecutions receiving a share of the fines collected.
The Home Office dismissed parts of the plan as 'empty posturing', noting enforcement has increased with illegal working arrests up 83 per cent and workplace raids up 77 per cent since Labour took office.
- Who
- Reform UK, led on the issue by home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf, and the UK Home Office, which responded to the proposals.
- What
- A pledge to impose criminal liability on company bosses and fine large firms up to 10 per cent of global revenue for employing illegal workers.
- When
- Announced ahead of the next UK general election; no specific election date was given in the articles.
- Where
- United Kingdom.
- Why
- To stop businesses profiting from illegal working, protect British jobs, and tackle illegal immigration.
Reform UK's Proposals
Government/Home Office Response
Severity of current enforcement
Reform UK's Proposals
Reform says Britain is the 'softest-touch country in the world' for illegal migrants and needs the harshest penalties anywhere, arguing existing fines and prison terms do not deter employers who build business models on illegal labour.
Government/Home Office Response
The Home Office says employers who break the law already face severe consequences and that enforcement has increased sharply, with illegal working arrests up 83 per cent and workplace raids up 77 per cent since Labour took office.
Need for new measures
Reform UK's Proposals
Reform argues new measures — such as strict liability for bosses regardless of knowledge and a public hotline with rewards — are needed to close gaps and hold companies personally responsible.
Government/Home Office Response
A Home Office source dismissed parts of the plan as 'empty posturing', saying the government is already introducing many of the suggested measures, including extending right-to-work checks to the gig economy from October 1.
- Party
- Reform UK
- Proposal lead
- Zia Yusuf, home affairs spokesman
- Proposed penalty for large firms
- Fine of up to 10% of global revenue
- Boss liability
- Criminal prosecution under 'strict liability' rules
- Current employer fine
- Up to £60,000 per illegal worker
- Current maximum prison term
- 5 years
- Gig economy right-to-work checks
- From 1 October
- Illegal working arrests last year
- More than 9,000 people