The Criminal
Records Bureau (CRB) has reduced the fee for Standard Disclosures.
Following a pricing review, the government agency has agreed to
reduce the fee charged for a Standard Disclosure from £31 to £26.
The change will come into effect from today.
For the third year running the CRB has refused to increase its
fees. The planned fee reduction has been made possible due to an
expected increase in the volume of disclosure applications being
processed as the new Vetting and Barring Scheme comes into place
from 12 October.
Checks for volunteers will continue to be free of charge which
provided a saving to the voluntary sector of approximately £27
million in 2008/09.
Home Office Minister Lord Brett said:
“The CRB plays a vital role helping to protect the most
vulnerable in our society by giving employers the extra tools they
need to make informed recruitment decisions.
“The cost of a CRB check continues to represent good value for
money given the protection and assurance that such checks provide.
“In 2008 a further 18,000 unsuitable people were prevented from
gaining access to children and vulnerable adults as a direct
result of a CRB check, bringing the total to around 98,000 in the
past five years.”
Today’s fee decrease follows the publication of the CRB’s Annual
Report and Accounts and Business Plan for 2009/10.
The business plan outlines the priorities for the year ahead and
shows that during the past 12 months the CRB has:
* worked closely with the Home Office and Independent
Safeguarding Authority to develop systems and processes ready for
the Vetting & Barring Scheme (VBS);
* launched the
first electronic application channel, e-Bulk, which allows its
largest volume customers to submit multiple applications online,
bringing many benefits to the CRB and its customers, including
faster results and improved quality and accuracy;
* extended
the range of jobs, posts and positions that are entitled to a CRB
check as part of safer recruitment practices;
* increased
customer satisfaction rates to an all-time high and gained
overwhelming support for CRB checks on anyone working with
children and vulnerable adults; and
* prevented a further
18,000 unsuitable people from gaining access to children and
vulnerable adults as a direct result of a CRB check,brining the
total to around 98,000 in the past five years.
This level of investment will continue during the next 12 months
as the CRB works towards implementation of the Vetting and Barring
Scheme and continues to maintain and enhance its existing services
and overall performance.
201/2009
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The CRB was established under Part V of the Police Act 1997
and commenced operation in 2002.
2. The CRB provides access to criminal record information through
its Disclosure service. It enables organisations in the public,
private and voluntary sectors to make safer recruitment decisions
by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work,
especially that involving children or vulnerable adults.
3. From today, the following fee levels will apply throughout the
remainder of 2009/10:
- Standard CRB check £26 (reduced from £31)
- Enhanced CRB
check £36
- POVAFirst check £6
4. Media enquiries should be directed to the Home Office Press
Office on 0207 035 3535.
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk