Caught with illegal immigrants in your truck? The gov wants to fine drivers and hauliers harder – consultation begins

We just got this emailed in. It’s a consultation looking to increase the severity of fines for drivers and hauliers caught with people trying to sneak into the UK in their trucks. PLUS vehicles are often not adequately secured, they say and it’s not good enough. They now want to issue fines from spot checks where a truck is deemed not to be secured properly – even if there is nobody hiding in the truck. Apparently, if you read on, this will make people less likely to try and get into the country via this route.

We’d like to know how they define insecure, there’s not a lot you can do if they drill a hole in the roof of the trailer. We reckon this is probably just going to hammer innocent drivers and operators.

PRESS RELEASE IN FULL:

CONSULTATION LAUNCHED ON SUITABLE CIVIL PENALTIES TO TACKLE ILLEGAL MIGRATION  

·       Proposals to increase maximum penalty for hauliers and vehicle drivers found carrying clandestine migrants

·       Changes to be made through Nationality and Borders Act which will deter illegal entry into the UK

·       Since 2020, the number of migrants coming to the UK via HGV and goods vehicles has increased

 

The government has today launched an industry consultation on proposals for tougher penalties to tackle illegal migration, including increasing the maximum penalty for hauliers and vehicle drivers who are found carrying a clandestine entrant from £2,000. 

 

As part of the continued fight against illegal migration and the criminal gangs behind it, changes to the existing Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalties scheme will be made through the Nationality and Borders Act.

 

These include new civil penalties for hauliers and vehicle drivers who fail to adequately secure their vehicle and conduct proper checks, regardless of whether a clandestine entrant is found, as part of efforts to prevent dangerous journeys which risk serious injury or even death.

 

Since 2020, the number of clandestine entrants coming to the UK via HGV and goods vehicles has continued to increase year-on-year. The government is determined to stop this, including via these refreshed penalties for hauliers and vehicle drivers who leave themselves vulnerable to exploitation.

 

Ahead of implementation, we are seeking the views of vehicle drivers, companies and other interested parties on all these new measures.

The consultation with the industry will run for eight weeks and will close on 12 September 2022.

 

Alongside the consultation, the Home Office will be running a series of engagement events to explore these issues in more detail.

 

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Simon Baynes MP said:

“We are determined to do all we can to prevent illegal entry into the UK.

 “Criminal gangs who risk the lives of desperate people for profit are taking advantage of those whose vehicles travel in and out of the country.

 “Far too many vehicles are currently not adequately secured, and we will seek to increase penalties on those who are negligent and prosecute those who are complicit.

 “This consultation is the next vital step in achieving this, and we look forward to working with the haulage industry and other interested parties to ensure that they are aware of the necessary requirements.”

 

The recently enacted Nationality and Borders Act is part of the government’s New Plan for Immigration to make it fairer for those in genuine need, deter illegal entry into the UK, break the business model of people-smuggling networks and remove those from the UK with no right to be here.

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