Basic checks for applicants in England and Wales: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
FOI reference: FOI/17/02082
Date received: 15 September 2017
Date responded: 5 October 2017
Information requested
Checks relating to applicants living in England & Wales for each of the last three financial years (14/15, 15/16 and 16/17).
Response
For each of the last three financial years (14/15, 15/16 and 16/17) I would like to know, for checks relating to applicants living in England & Wales, the following:
1. The total number of basic checks processed (broken down between applying online and by completing a paper form)
| Year | Online | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 / 2015 | 869,433 | 194,161 |
| 2015 / 2016 | 1,002,526 | 170,180 |
| 2016 / 2017 | 1,229,757 | 149,565 |
2. The total number that disclosed a criminal record
| Year | Total |
|---|---|
| 2014 / 2015 | 104,359 |
| 2015 / 2016 | 111,940 |
| 2016 / 2017 | 131,310 |
3. The number that disclosed a criminal record where the entire criminal record was:
a. Over 5 years old
b. Over 10 years old
c. Over 15 years old
d. Over 20 years ago
We are unable to provide this information without incurring disproportionate cost; therefore Section 12(1) of the Act is engaged.
4. The number that disclosed a criminal record where part of the criminal record was:
a. Over 5 years old
b. Over 10 years old
c. Over 15 years old
d. Over 20 years ago
| Year | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 / 2015 | 12,912 | 10,448 | 8,356 | 4,697 |
| 2015 / 2016 | 12,958 | 10,437 | 7,950 | 4,726 |
| 2016 / 2017 | 12,464 | 10,724 | 7,721 | 4,964 |
5. The average turnaround for processing them, broken down by:
a. Where no information is found in relation to the criminal record of the applicant b. Where no information is disclosed because the criminal record is spent c. Where criminal record information is disclosed because it is unspent:
| Status | Turnaround (days) |
|---|---|
| Clear | 4.37 |
| Spent | 4.65 |
| Unspent | 4.82 |
6. Any information which indicates the names of the employers that are requesting basic checks as part of their recruitment process (for example, a list of employers that applying for basic checks on behalf of individuals with their consult)
Response attached.
7. Any information which indicates the job roles that are linked to the applications
Response attached.
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Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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