Hauliers speak out: RHA demands action on Civil Penalty failings

25 April 2025

The Road Haulage Association (“RHA”) is issuing a letter to the Home Secretary, expressing significant concerns about the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme (“CECPS”) in light of a recent report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (“ICIBI”).

The ICIBI report has revealed a number of systemic failures in how the scheme is administered and enforced. In its letter, the RHA calls for urgent reforms to address these shortcomings and to protect compliant drivers and hauliers from unfair penalties.

The RHA’s letter underscores the urgent need for reforms to the CECPS. By addressing the issues of inadequate resources, disproportionate penalties, and poor administration, the scheme can be made fairer for compliant operators while maintaining the integrity of the UK’s border security.

The RHA is inviting operators to support their letter to the Home Secretary. If you wish to add your name to the letter, you can do so until the deadline of 16 May 2025 by following this link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/2RH0XE/.

For further details, you can read the full letter here: RHA Open Letter to Home Secretary – April 2025.

This article was written by Joanna Falk.

If you have any questions or would like legal advice relating to the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme, please get in touch with our Commercial Litigation team.