Reform UK pledges jail terms for bosses employing illegal migrants

Reform UK has pledged to imprison the bosses of companies employing illegal migrants and said it would fine larger firms 10 per cent of their global revenues.

The party said its aim was to stop delivery and gig economy companies profiting from illegal workers "without consequences".

Home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf said "young British people are being shut out of entry level jobs and our whole economy is being undermined".

The Home Office said it was already increasing penalties for companies hiring illegal workers. A source within the department called some of Reform's proposals "empty posturing".

Reform said that if it won the next general election, it would pass a law making chief executives and directors of large companies profiting from illegal workers personally and criminally liable.

That would be regardless of their knowledge of workers' legal status.

The party said this would be similar to the personal liability of senior managers for the financial misconduct of their firms under Financial Conduct Authority rules.

Reform would also introduce a phone line for the public to report suspected illegal working or organised criminal activity, which police and other authorities, such as trading standards teams, would be required to follow up.

Reports resulting in successful prosecutions would be rewarded with a share of any fines generated.

Yusuf said the party "would introduce the toughest penalties anywhere in the world for illegal working".