SIA: no change before Olympics

No significant changes to the doorstaff licensing regime will take place before the London 2012 Olympics - and the change could be completed by 2014.

That's according to Bill Butler, chief executive of the Security Industry Authority, the doorstaff licensing body that is being phased out as part of the Government's cull of quangos.

An initial meeting with industry figures and stakeholders to discuss the "phased transition" to a new regulatory regime took place yesterday, the SIA said.

A framework for the future and a "delivery plan" will be developed with industry and other stakeholders in the coming months, for presentation to ministers early next year, the SIA added.

A further stakeholder meeting will be held in the New Year.

Butler said: "Currently, the existing regulatory regime - licensing and the Approved Contractor Scheme - remain in place and existing laws will continue to be enforced.

"All individuals undertaking licensable activity must ensure they have the required SIA licence.

"Work and planning will be underway immediately, but it is not expected that any significant changes will take place before the Olympics in 2012.

"The phased transition to the new regime will then take place.

"Subject to agreement, the transition could then be completed by 2014. Any changes will be implemented so as not to disrupt the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.

"There is now much to be done, and the next step will be for the SIA to establish initial arrangements to work with the industry and stakeholders, including the devolved governments in Scotland and Northern Ireland."

Following the meeting, SIA chairman Ruth Henig said: "We welcome the efforts made so far by the industry to inform the debate and to come together with the SIA to develop and ensure a smooth transition to the new regulatory regime."

The Government's decision to scrap the SIA does not effect Scotland or Northern Ireland, where responsibility has been devolved.