Food delivery companies to introduce tougher checks to prevent illegal working

The move follows discussions with the Government over how the food delivery companies can take steps to protect the British public’s safety by preventing exploitation of account sharing by those looking to work.

All three companies have committed to changing their processes to confirm substitute riders have the right to work legally in the UK directly, according to the Government.

Deliveroo was the first to roll out a new substitute registration feature, including right to work checks, earlier this month.

Uber Eats says it intends to roll out identity verification checks to “help ensure only those who legitimately use someone else’s account to earn with us are able to”.

The companies will continue to work closely with the Government as they roll out their new operating procedures, to help them adapt to any emerging risks.

An end to 'substitutions'

The moves follow a meeting with representatives of Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat in November last year where Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick demanded stricter controls be implemented to end the practice of unchecked account sharing, known as ‘substitutions’.

While substitution is a legitimate part of self-employment, a small minority of drivers have taken advantage of the system to avoid completing right to work checks, leading to an increase in operations by Immigration Enforcement to prevent this.

The practice leaves customers with no way of knowing if the person handing over their food can legally work in the UK. It can also leave delivery firms in the dark about whether their substitute drivers have the right to work in the UK.

“We’re committed to cracking down on unchecked account sharing,” says Minister for Countering Illegal Migration, Michael Tomlinson.

“Illegal working puts their customers at risk, drives down wages and defrauds the taxpayer. It is vital that we shut down any loophole that allows it to happen.”

A Just Eat spokesperson says: “We take our responsibilities on this issue seriously and have high expectations for couriers delivering on our behalf which is why we’re continuing our work together with industry and policymakers to develop a solution which will ensure couriers substituting their work do so in accordance with the law.”