Criminal Records Bureau should reinstate fees consultation says REC

Criminal Records Bureau should reinstate fees consultation says REC.

In response to the decision to scrap the promised consultation on any increases to CRB fees, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation today highlighted the importance of dialogue with business. 

Whilst the Vetting and Barring Scheme remodelling review recommended that fee increases would necessitate effective consultation, the CRB has now scrapped this requirement and is introducing fee increases without consulting affected groups.

Commenting, Gillian Econopouly, the REC’s Head of Policy, said;

“It is deeply disappointing that the consultation into fee increases has been scrapped.  In these difficult economic times, it is important that any changes to the cost of a CRB check consider the needs of businesses.  Whilst we recognise that a temporary increase in fees is unavoidable, effective consultation is required to ensure that businesses are not faced with unfair charges.

“It is already clear that there are inconsistencies in the CRB’s proposals, for example where a social worker on minimum wage would see their CRB rates increased, whilst lawyers and bankers on standard checks would not.” 

She added,

“The REC has written to the CRB to ask for a formal explanation into why the consultation period has been dropped.  We have highlighted the need to take into account the views of the recruitment industry and the wider business community, ensuring that fee increases do not prevent dedicated professionals from delivering vital services.”