We have decided to delay the development of licensing for security consultants. Our approach will be based on the requirements of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and will take into account the findings of our consultation process.

According to the Act you will need an SIA licence if you give advice about security precautions in relation to a person or property or the acquisition of services involving a security operative.

The following activities will not require a licence:

• the giving of legal, financial or business advice regarding the acquisition of security operatives;
• activities of a member of a relevant accountancy body;
• the provision of training to provide people with skills, qualifications or knowledge for use in carrying out security activities.

Schedule 2, paragraph 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (as amended) provides full details of non-licensable activity.

Anyone involved in providing contracted security consultancy will require a licence. This includes employees, employers, managers, supervisors and directors* or partners of security consultancy companies.

*For the purposes of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, "director" means executive and non-executive directors, shadow directors, parent company directors and corporate entities holding a directorship.

Any proposals for regulation will be published for consultation in a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). What is an RIA?