Reform UK has put forward a proposal to establish a dedicated ‘tip line’ aimed at identifying and penalizing businesses that employ individuals without the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. The policy, announced by Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s home office spokesperson, on Thursday, seeks to empower the public to report suspected instances of illegal employment.
Crackdown on Illegal Employment
The proposed tip line is part of a broader strategy by Reform UK to intensify efforts against illegal working practices. Under the plan, law enforcement agencies, including the police and trading standards, would be mandated to investigate credible tips received through this channel. Mr. Yusuf indicated that a Reform UK government would create a central prosecution fund, administered by the Home Office, to facilitate enforcement actions. However, specific operational details regarding the setup and management of the tip line remain to be clarified.
A key element of the proposal is the financial incentive for tipsters. Individuals whose information leads to successful enforcement actions or prosecutions would be eligible for a direct financial reward. This reward would be funded by a portion of the penalties recovered from offending businesses. The exact amount and the criteria for these rewards are yet to be detailed in forthcoming legislation.
Stricter Penalties for Employers
During a press conference on Thursday, Mr. Yusuf criticized the current approaches of both the Labour and Conservative parties, stating they have “effectively decriminalised illegal working in the United Kingdom.” He asserted that a Reform UK government would reverse this trend, introducing “the toughest penalties in the world for those who employ and profit from illegal mining.” The party aims to restore order to high streets, strengthen border integrity, and promote fairness within the British economy.
The proposed measures, unveiled on Wednesday, would hold employers accountable for illegal employment. Penalties could include substantial fines, equivalent to 10 percent of their global revenues, and potential jail sentences. Significantly, these penalties could apply even if employers were unaware of their employee’s immigration status, provided they had not conducted the requisite due diligence.
Current legislation already imposes significant fines on businesses employing individuals without the right to work, with penalties reaching up to £60,000 for each illegal worker discovered, provided appropriate checks were not performed. Reform UK’s announcement follows recent government initiatives aimed at curbing illegal employment, particularly within the delivery sector.
Government and Industry Responses
Earlier this year, Security Minister Dan Jarvis encouraged the public to report suspicious activities, including those involving “dodgy barbers.” He advised citizens to report any perceived suspicious activity to the police, suggesting individuals should exercise their judgment when choosing where to receive services.
In addition to the tip line proposal, Mr. Yusuf outlined other measures, such as making it a legal requirement for businesses to hold a full British driving licence for any vehicle used for commercial purposes. This rule would reportedly exclude international lorry drivers making deliveries to the UK.
The proposal has drawn parallels to a measure sometimes referred to as the ‘Deliveroo law.’ A spokesperson for Deliveroo commented on the issue, stating, “Illegal working should absolutely be addressed, and that’s why we’ve led the industry in cracking down on the sophisticated, organised criminals who attempt to abuse our platform.” The company highlighted its existing measures, including right-to-work checks for all riders, daily identity verification, and advanced fraud-detection technology, urging other affected industries to adopt similar practices.
The Home Office confirmed its ongoing efforts, noting in July the arrest of 10 Evri workers who were on immigration bail pending further investigation. A Home Office spokesperson emphasized the government’s commitment to “extending right to work checks to the gig economy and delivery sector.” They reiterated that employers violating the law face severe repercussions, including fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker, business closures, license revocations, and prison sentences of up to five years.
Rising Enforcement Activity
Official figures released in January indicated a notable increase in visits and arrests related to illegal working, reaching the highest levels recorded since data collection began in 2019. In 2025, authorities conducted 12,791 visits to businesses, a 57 percent rise from the 8,122 visits in the preceding year. These inspections targeted various sectors, including nail salons, car washes, barbershops, and takeaway establishments.
The proposed ‘Turkish barber tip line’ by Reform UK represents a significant policy shift, aiming to leverage public vigilance and impose stricter accountability on employers to combat illegal working in the UK.
