New checks for illegal pub doorstaff
Application forms for pub doorstaff licences are to ask about their right to work in the UK for the first time.
This followed the scandal of illegal immigrants apparently gaining Security Industry Authority (SIA) licences. More than 10,000 SIA licence holders, including doorstaff, are being investigated after it emerged that they did not appear to have the right to work in the UK.
SIA spokesman Robert Buxton said new application forms that are to be introduced at a later date will include a box asking about right to work here.
In addition, checks with the Border & Immigration Agency about the right to work, which have been in place since last summer, will continue.
The change was urged in a report from the influential Home Affairs Select Committee.
The report, which was released in December and available to the public this week, says: "We are concerned that the current process for licensing and employing security workers gives rise to a situation in which illegal immigrants are gaining employment in the security industry.
"In our opinion, the licence application form would be an expedient means of ensuring consideration of the immigration status of security industry workers.
"We therefore welcome the announcement from the Home Secretary that she is encouraging the Security Industry Authority to amend its licence application form to include a declaration from applicants that they have the right to work in the UK."
It adds: "We recommend the Home Secretary provides us with further updates on the licensing of private security workers in March 2008 and again in June 2008."
