Do you feel you’ve lost out because of a wait for your SIA badge, or a renewed badge? You could ask the authority for compo.
That is the upshot of an exchange between David Davis and Jacqui Smith.
David Davis may have resigned as MP and Conservative Shadow Home Secretary, but not before he had answers to some pointed questions about the SIA, from Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
Davis asked what proportion of applications to the Security Industry Authority for licences were completed within the six to eight weeks processing target time in the latest period for which figures are available; how many applications to the SIA (a) licences and (b) licence renewals have been delayed in processing as a result of the introduction of a new computer system and still await determination; ; how many stuck applications are in the Security Industry Authority licensing system; what steps are being taken to expedite the processing of these applications through the system; and when she expects them to have been dealt with.
Jacqui Smith answered:
As a result of a delay in implementing the full functionality of the SIA’s new processing system, some of this management information is not currently available. The SIA advise that data relating to the first quarter of this financial year will be available in August. I will write to you with this information when it is available.
As at 13 May there were 346 cases at various stages of processing which were unable to progress further as a result of problems with the managed service provider system. The SIA are in contact with the individuals concerned as the majority of these cases require information to be re-submitted which is currently missing from the system.
Most other cases are moving systematically, albeit more slowly than normal, through the process. The SIA is committed to doing all it can to return the process to normal levels and speed any ‘stuck’ cases that come to light through to completion.
David Davis also asked the Secretary of State what steps (a) her department and (b) the Security Industry Authority (SIA) are taking to (i) protect those employees whose jobs have been jeopardised and (ii) compensate those employees who lose their jobs as a result of delays in SIA licence application processing.
Jacqui Smith answered:
This is an operational matter for the SIA. They are working to restore performance to acceptable levels as quickly as possible in order to reduce delays and the resulting impact on applicants. If individuals have suffered financial loss as a direct result of processing delays, the SIA will consider compensation claims on a case by case basis.
