Haulage companies were issued nearly £10 million in fines last year after migrants were found hidden in vehicles, according to figures revealed by the Home Office. A total of 1,276 penalties were handed out in 2023/24 under the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme, which targets those carrying illegal migrants, with fines reaching up to £10,000 per person discovered.

Dominic Graham, manager of Alcaline Transport in Kent, noted that many drivers and companies are law-abiding but face significant challenges in preventing stowaways. He stressed that while deterrents are necessary for those acting illegally, the current system needs review, as drivers may struggle to detect hidden individuals despite taking precautions.

The government maintains that the fines aim to tackle negligence, not deliberate smuggling, with severe criminal penalties for those engaged in people smuggling. However, haulage industry leaders have expressed concerns about losing drivers due to these penalties, despite the existence of a Civil Penalties Accreditation Scheme, which reduces fines for companies with strong security measures.

Although recent security measures have reduced the number of stowaways at Channel ports, smugglers continue to target road transport, including lorries and even caravans. A Home Office spokesperson emphasised the government's commitment to stopping illegal migration and tackling smuggling operations.