Employers face £60k fine for hiring illegal delivery riders
New Home Office measures target companies employing undocumented workers in the gig economy.
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Companies employing delivery riders who do not have the legal right to work in the UK could face significant penalties. The Home Office announced on October 1 that employers found hiring such workers may be fined £60,000 for each individual employed illegally. This measure aims to ensure all individuals working within the gig economy hold the necessary documentation to be employed in the UK.
Penalties for non-compliance
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Beyond financial penalties, the new regulations stipulate that employers found guilty of knowingly hiring individuals without the right to work could also face director disqualification. In more severe cases, individuals could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and pay an unlimited fine. Businesses are now legally required to confirm that any person working on their behalf possesses the correct immigration status.
Background and related concerns
The announcement follows concerns raised about the prevalence of undocumented workers in the delivery sector. In July, the London Assembly passed a motion, proposed by Assembly Member Thomas Turrell, urging the Government to prohibit the use of provisional licences for commercial activities, including food delivery. This motion also advocated for an expiry limit on Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificates to encourage riders to obtain full driving licences.
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Louie French, the Member of Parliament for Old Bexley and Sidcup, has previously stated that roads are frequently occupied by individuals using mopeds for food delivery. He called for government intervention to ensure all delivery drivers operate legally and do not pose a risk to other road users.
Existing checks and future requirements
Major delivery platforms such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat had already introduced voluntary 'right to work' checks for their account holders and registered substitutes in 2025. The new Home Office measures formalise this requirement, making it a legal obligation for all employers to verify the work eligibility of their delivery riders.
Questions this report answers
+What are the new penalties for employers hiring illegal delivery riders?
Employers hiring delivery riders without the legal right to work in the UK could face fines of up to £60,000 per worker. In addition to financial penalties, offenders may face director disqualification or imprisonment for up to five years.
+When were these new measures announced?
The Home Office announced these new measures on October 1. The changes make it a legal requirement for employers to check that anyone working for them is eligible to work in the UK.
+What action has the London Assembly taken regarding delivery riders?
In July, the London Assembly passed a motion calling on the Government to ban the use of provisional licences for commercial work, such as food delivery. The motion also proposed an expiry cap on CBT certification.
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