I wonder if Yusuf is aware of how the Labour government has successfully already scaled up immigration enforcement raids and arrests in the past 2 years? The government has secured record levels of raids and arrests while closing legal loopholes that previously exempted casual and gig-economy employers from right-to-work checks. Same enforcement services what will Reform change? It's not global companies that are failing to carry out employment checks! So apart from a threat of jail ( not going to happen if said company had processes in place for employment screening and CEO relied on HR to carry out such checks). It's not large companies that are employing illegal workers anyway!
Enforcement and Raids
Surge in operations: Immigration enforcement activity reached record highs, with a substantial year-on-year increase in enforcement raids (up over 70%) and a sharp surge in illegal-working arrests.
Targeted industries Authorities have focused proactive operations on high-risk sectors prone to undocumented labor, such as hospitality, car washes, construction, and delivery services.
Closing Gig-Economy Loopholes
Mandatory checks: Legislation advanced through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration measures legally requires gig economy and platform-based companies (such as courier networks, food delivery, and private hire sectors) to carry out right-to-work checks for the first time.
Subcontractor accountability The rules extend compliance duties to cover casual, temporary, and self-employed individual subcontractors working on behalf of a business, removing exemptions previously exploited by rogue firms.
Penalties and Sanctions
Severe fines: Enforced civil penalties reach up to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first-time breach and up to £60,000 for repeat offences.
Corporate disruption Unscrupulous employers already face severe administrative and criminal sanctions, including forced business closures, sponsor licence revocations, director disqualifications, and prison sentences of up to five years for responsible parties.
Reform needs to get their act together to survive. AB needs to make sure his party are responding to such statements from Reform, on this and others matters, shouting out what it is already achieving.