Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

Your industry news - first

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SIA is reducing charges to individuals and businesses from next month as part of our commitment to driving down costs.

From 1 January 2012 individual licences for all sectors will be reduced from £245 to £220. The reduction applies to both new applicants and those renewing existing licences. Licence holders applying for a discounted second licence after this date will pay 50% of the new reduced fee.

The individual licence fee reduction applies to applications received from 1 January 2012. If applicants are able to delay their licence application without working illegally it is recommended that they submit it in January in order to benefit from the reduced fee.

Annual charges to businesses for membership of the Approved Contractor Scheme will also be reduced from £17 to £15 per employee.

Current licence fee levels have been held since 2007 and we have been able to reduce the costs further as a result of both Government austerity measures and continuing improvements to working practices. The reductions will save the private security industry £3m over the coming year.

SIA Chairman Ruth Henig said:

"We are very aware of the challenges faced by both businesses and licensed individuals in this difficult climate.

We have held current fee levels for four years, and I am very pleased to now announce these reductions in the licence fee and ACS charges. We are committed to driving down costs in the new regime and this is the first step in that process."

Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone said:

"The Government has set a clear challenge to all its agencies and other bodies to ensure they are proving the best possible value for money.

So I have been very impressed to hear how the SIA has been working to improve its practices and processes to ensure that they are as efficient as possible. The reduction in these fees will no doubt be welcomed by the 360 thousand people who hold a valid licence and the businesses that employ them."

www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/home.aspx

11th January 2012