Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick has launched a public attack on Big Four accounting giants Deloitte and KPMG, accusing them of cutting British jobs while recruiting migrant workers.
Speaking in a video filmed outside Deloitte’s London headquarters, the MP claimed the firm “laid off 800 UK staff” while hiring “8,800 foreign workers” over the last five years.
Jenrick, who serves as Reform’s economic spokesman, insisted Deloitte “are not alone,” and alleged KPMG sponsored 1,100 visas while laying off 900 UK staff.
KPMG has faced a series of significant redundancy rounds, announcing cuts of more than 400 staff in its audit department and 120 in its advisory section back in March, citing low attrition rates.
Further cuts of around 200 staff followed in its UK group corporate services division, with another 200 roles later eliminated across its data and tech division.
Deloitte has similarly shed large numbers of UK workers in recent years, driven by a combination of pandemic-era overhiring, an economic slowdown, AI uncertainty, and ongoing attrition issues.
This year alone, Deloitte offered voluntary redundancy packages to reduce headcount by 200 across its audit business, providing staff with packages described as going beyond statutory legal minimums.
However, Jenrick’s framing of the layoffs as targeting British workers specifically has been complicated by the fact that redundancy rounds can also affect employees on visas, including those on the Skilled Worker visa.
According to UK Home Office data for 2025, Deloitte sponsored 1,647 workers on Skilled Worker visas, while KPMG sponsored 1,132, though data on the immigration status of those made redundant is unavailable.
Reform UK officials told City AM the party did not have specific problems with KPMG and Deloitte, but wanted to see large employers take on more Britons and highly skilled workers.
The episode reflects a broader pattern of senior Reform figures clashing with businesses of all sizes over migration issues, creating tension as the party attempts to build closer ties with the private sector.
Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf pledged to pay financial rewards to members of the public who inform the government about high street shops employing illegal migrants.
Yusuf also threatened to imprison Vodafone boss Margherita Della Valle for supplying free SIM cards to migrants entering the UK on small boats.
Reform held its first Business Day at the party conference in early September, with Jenrick stating that party leaders wanted an open conversation with bosses about best practices.
Several business representatives have privately criticised the party’s combative approach, and both Deloitte and KPMG declined to comment on Jenrick’s remarks.