Welcome to the live blog covering UK political developments.
Reform UK has announced its intention to impose significant penalties on businesses that hire illegal migrant workers, proposing a fine equal to 10% of a company’s global revenue and potential imprisonment for company executives. The party’s home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, will unveil these proposals in a speech later today, referring to the initiative as the “Deliveroo law.”
Yusuf stated to the Daily Express, “If Reform is in power, Britain will enforce the strictest penalties globally for the employment of illegal migrants. Employers will face prison sentences, and their firms will incur fines amounting to 10% of their worldwide earnings. Certain businesses are built entirely on the exploitation of illegal labor.”
Under current regulations, companies that employ individuals without legal work authorization can face fines of up to £60,000 for each illegal worker, provided they have not conducted the necessary checks.
This announcement follows a government initiative targeting unlawful employment in the delivery sector, which culminated in the arrest of ten Evri workers in July, who were on immigration bail and subject to strict conditions while investigations were ongoing.
Data released in January indicated that visits and arrests related to illegal employment had surged to unprecedented levels since records began in 2019, with 12,791 visits recorded in 2025—an increase of 57% from the previous year, targeting various businesses such as nail salons, car washes, barbershops, and takeaways.
A spokesperson from the Home Office remarked, “Illegal labor undermines legitimate businesses, takes advantage of vulnerable people, and contributes to organized immigration crime. We are actively addressing the loopholes that allow illegal migrants to work in the UK and are expanding right-to-work checks to the gig economy and delivery sectors. Employers violating the law face severe repercussions, including hefty fines, business closures, license revocations, and prison terms of up to five years.”
In other news, Jewish community leaders have declined an invitation to meet with a former antisemitic online figure, following Kemi Badenoch’s defense of his candidacy as a Conservative council member. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) have rejected an offer from the Conservatives to discuss Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who has been selected to run for the Crewkerne South ward in Somerset in the upcoming May elections. However, they expressed willingness to meet with Conservative officials to address their selection process and encourage the withdrawal of Bonehill-Paine’s candidacy. Bonehill-Paine was sentenced to prison in 2016 after being convicted of racially aggravated harassment against Labour peer Baroness Luciana Berger, who is Jewish.
Government ministers continue to support the decision to release the killers of PC Andrew Harper under the early prisoner release scheme, despite facing potential legal challenges from the Police Federation. Justice Minister Jake Richards acknowledged the profound grief experienced by the officer’s family while asserting that “difficult decisions” are necessary to maintain an effective prison system and uphold law and order.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice confirmed that the government is not currently “actively” pursuing an inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein’s activities in the UK. They stated that while there is a review underway to explore possible actions to support victims, a public inquiry is not being prioritized.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has come to the defense of a black university professor who recently resigned amid allegations of plagiarism, suggesting that individuals of color often face higher scrutiny in society. Professor Jason Arday stepped down from his prominent position at the University of Cambridge after the institution initiated an investigation into his “academic qualifications and honorary appointments.” Arday, who became the youngest black professor at Cambridge in 2023, indicated in his resignation letter that stepping down was the only way to resolve the matter. His resignation followed reports, including one from the Daily Telegraph, alleging that he had plagiarized his PhD thesis and other academic work.
During discussions surrounding Arday’s resignation, Polanski defended his decision to endorse a letter criticizing the “sustained and malicious attacks” on the professor’s integrity. When questioned on LBC about this endorsement, Polanski remarked, “This entire situation is quite unfortunate. It would be beneficial for the university’s investigation to continue, as uncovering the truth is important. Ultimately, matters such as these should prioritize fairness and transparency rather than media sensationalism. The university previously conducted two investigations and concluded there were no issues or that the allegations were baseless, emphasizing that individuals of color can sometimes be held to more stringent standards.”
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has urged the Conservative Party to reconsider its actions following Kemi Badenoch’s appointment of a former antisemite as a party adviser. This call came after Joshua Bonehill-Paine withdrew his candidacy for a council election next year. In an interview with Nick Ferrari on LBC, Cooper expressed her shock at the decision, stating, “I find this choice quite disturbing. I have listened to Luciana Berger describe her experiences with this individual, who has targeted her and even made Nazi salutes. It is deeply troubling that someone like this should be involved in public service.”
