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SIA Licence and ACS Fees Cut



09 December 2011

The Security Industry Authority is reducing its charges to individuals and businesses from next month as part of its commitment to driving down costs.

From 1st January 2012 Individual licences for all sectors will be reduced from £245 to £220. The reduction applies to both new applicants and those renewing existing licences. Licence holders applying for a discounted second licence after this date will pay 50% of the new reduced fee.

Annual charges to businesses for membership of the Approved Contractor Scheme will also be reduced from £17 to £15 per employee. Current fee levels have been held since 2007 and the SIA has been able to reduce the costs further as a result of both Government austerity measures and continuing improvements to working practices. The reductions will save the industry £3m over the coming year. SIA Chairman Ruth Henig said:

"We are very aware of the challenges faced by both businesses and licensed individuals in this difficult climate."

"We have held current fee levels for four years, and I am very pleased to now announce these reductions in the licence fee and ACS charges. We are committed to driving down costs in the new regime and this is the first step in that process."

Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone said:

"The Government has set a clear challenge to all its agencies and other bodies to ensure they are proving the best possible value for money."

"So I have been very impressed to hear how the SIA has been working to improve its practices and processes to ensure that they are as efficient as possible. The reduction in these fees will no doubt be welcomed by the 360 thousand people who hold a valid licence and the businesses that employ them."

To view the minister's video comment visit the SIA's Facebook page.

Notes to Editors:

• The individual licence fee reduction applies to applications received from 1 January 2012. If applicants are able to delay their licence application without working illegally it is recommended that they submit it in January in order to benefit from the reduced fee.
  
  If an application has not yet reached payment stage it can be cancelled and returned to the applicant so that they can submit it after January 1. If payment has already been processed for an application it cannot be refunded as significant work to process it will have already been completed.
  
  Applicants must not delay their application if they are working in a licensable role. Doing so without a valid licence is a criminal offence with maximum penalties of six months imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine.

• In October 2010, the Government announced a "phased transition to a new regulatory regime" for the private security industry. The SIA is working in consultation with the industry to draw up these plans, and while future regulation is subject to Parliamentary approval, the key elements are likely to include: a new regulatory body outside Government; the licensing of businesses; and the registration of individuals. The final decisions on future regulation in Scotland and Northern Ireland are subject to decision by the devolved administrations, but it is expected that the new regime should be capable of working across the UK.
  
  Currently the Private Security Industry Act 2001 remains law. It is a criminal offence for security operatives and those deploying them to work in licensable activities without a valid SIA licence. The SIA and our partners continue to ensure that the law is properly enforced.

• For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk.



SIA Outlines 'Commitment to Regulation' at Conference

12 October 2011



The second Security Industry Authority conference of the year was opened and chaired by Dave Humphries, Director of Compliance, Intelligence and Communication, who welcomed delegates to the Sheffield venue. He stressed the importance of industry input as the SIA develops plans for the future of regulation for the private security industry.

The audience then heard from SIA Chairman Baroness Ruth Henig, whose keynote speech outlined the achievements of the SIA far - such as compliance and enforcement activity and excluding unfit individuals from the industry, and the success of the ACS scheme - and gave an overview of intentions for the future.

Baroness Henig told delegates:

"We must ensure that together we build upon previous achievements in regulation, and develop a regime suitable for an evolving industry. We know that regulation needs to change and adapt to remain relevant in years to come. This will mean a lighter touch for compliant businesses and individuals, a lower cost approach, focussed on business licensing with businesses taking primary responsibility for checking and registering their employees, and the industry taking increased responsibility for driving up standards."

She called upon delegates to share with the SIA what they saw as the priorities, and to work together to ensure adequate and appropriate regulation for the future. This was reinforced by Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone, who in a video message said that the conference presented "a fantastic opportunity for you, the members of the private security industry, to come together to discuss the challenges, and contribute to the shaping of, the future of, your industry." She said:

"There are important developments occurring within the private security sector. The Government hopes that these developments will lead to better regulation of the industry across the UK, ensuring that the private security industry continues to flourish whilst maintaining the high standards it has previously achieved, in helping to secure public protection."

An overview of plans for the transition was delivered by Hazel Russell, SIA Director of Transition, in her presentation 'SIA Proposals for the Future'. She explained the key components of future regulation - a new regulatory body outside Government, the licensing of businesses, and a register of individuals fit and proper to work in industry, underpinned by effective compliance and enforcement. Steve McCormick, SIA Director of Service Delivery, then spoke on 'Designing Services Fit for the Future'. He said that with future regulation being developed to be business focussed and to achieve reduced burden and cost, there would need to be changes and improvements to service delivery. He described current plans to continue to improve the licensing and customer service, such as website improvements, a better bulk application process, and electronic contact and payment methods.

The morning concluded with two discussion groups on the development of key operational functions. 'The Approved Contractor Scheme and the Future of the Hallmark' was chaired by ACS Assistant Director Andrew Shephard and Quality Assurance Manager Jody Parker. They set out plans for approved contractors to automatically qualify for the new business licence, and for the current ACS scheme to continue at least until compulsory business licensing is established. Delegates at the session agreed that the continuation of a hallmark scheme was crucial, in order to differentiate between the quality mark and the compulsory business licence. They called for acknowledgement of ACS membership within business licensing criteria, a continued licence dispensation scheme, and for all public sector contracts to be awarded to ACS contractors.

'Individual Applications, the Challenge for Employers', was delivered by Assistant Director of Customer Service and Quality Improvement Christy Hopkins. He explained that individual applications would be primarily the responsibility of businesses, with applications submitted through an employer or 'Mediated Access Partner', being e-enabled to ensure reduced burden and duplication. Applications would be only for new entrants, with no renewals rather a regular subscription, and a revocation and suspension process would remain in place, he said. In feedback, delegates stressed the importance of maintaining public safety through regular criminal record checks. They also said that as plans developed they would want clarification on how the qualifications upload and checking process would work.

The afternoon sessions were commenced by James Kelly of the Security Alliance, who welcomed the strong commitment to regulation that had been shown by the SIA, Government and the industry. He was followed by Alastair Thomas, Home Office CCTV Policy Lead, who spoke about the need for joined-up regulation in the sector and the considerations for CCTV practices in the future. Delegates then heard from Ian Thomas, Head of Integration and Delivery at the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, who outlined the expected impact of the Olympics in 2012 and security requirements. Finally, the importance of targeting of serious and organised crime in the private security industry was discussed by Paul Evans from KPMG, former Director of Interventions at the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

In concluding the day, SIA Chief Executive Bill Butler said there would now be a change of pace as in-depth planning of the new regime unfolded. He told delegates:

"It has been so useful to have you together here today to share views and give us your input and feedback."

"I am conscious of the rapid progress and many changes that have been made throughout the past year. But, now that we are in the position of having a clear commitment from Government, and a clear framework for the future of regulation, this will mean a considered pace of change. We will take the time to make sure we get the details right, and that you in the industry have the time to give the necessary input and of course to adapt to the new regulatory regime."

Notes to Editors:

• In October 2010, the Government announced a "phased transition to a new regulatory regime" for the private security industry. The SIA is currently working with the Government and security industry to plan how private security in the UK will be regulated in the future. The new regulation will build on the successes of SIA licensing and the Approved Contractor Scheme. There will be no major changes to SIA regulation or the ACS before the London Olympics 2012.
  
  Currently the Private Security Industry Act 2001 remains law. It is a criminal offence for security operatives and those deploying them to work in licensable activities without a valid SIA licence. The SIA and our partners continue to ensure that the law is properly enforced.
• For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk.