Written Ministerial Statement to the House, 12 January 2006

Following public consultation during the autumn, the Government has decided to introduce an Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) for the private security industry.

The ACS will include elements from two of the options in the consultation paper: Option 3, which would require companies to possess one or more of a list of specified existing standards, and Option 4, which would introduce a new standard defined by the Security Industry Authority. These two options were the most popular in the consultation, with over 90% of respondents expressing a preference for one of them. By adopting a mixture of the two, we will enable those firms that have already achieved an existing standard to take credit for that, without requiring smaller firms, in particular, to go through the same procedure.

There is still a lot of detail to be worked through. The detail of the scheme, including the fee structure, will be announced as soon as possible, so that companies are able to plan and prepare for the implementation date. The detail of the ACS will be subject to annual review. Companies approved under the scheme will be permitted to deploy a small proportion of their security personnel who are not yet licensed but have completed training and have an application pending. They will not be able to deploy unlicensed personnel on assignments that involve contact with children or vulnerable adults. This will ensure that those dealing with this particularly sensitive group have undergone, and satisfied any SIA requirements relating to a CRB check.

20th March 2006 remains the date on which it will become mandatory for manned guards to be licensed. Licensing for door supervisors and vehicle immobilisers is already mandatory.

Paul Goggins
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Home Office)