WIREDGOV

Criminal Records Bureau reduces fees

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 01 October 2009

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