Home Office Archives - TALiNT International

Home Office RTW processes flawed, according to APSCo

31/01/2022
All Regions, UK

APSCo calls for changes to cost timeframe issues for digital RTW checks

According to Tania Bowers, Global Public Policy Director at APSCo, while the introduction of the option to obtain a digital RTW confirmation from a certified service provider of Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT) is welcomed, there are some concerns in the plans outlined.

These include:

A lack of clarity around standardised rates or fee caps to prevent SME recruiters from being financially burdened

Limited timeframes to allow for an appropriate preferred supplier selection process

The potential for unnecessary duplication of checks

Tania Bowes commented: “The move to digital identity checks is something we’ve called for and welcomed when it was first announced. However, when we drill down into the details there are issues that have the potential to negatively impact staffing companies. While there will understandably be costs associated with digital checks, we are concerned that SME staffing firms will be exposed to high fees given that the decision around certified provider usages is often driven by the end-user’s outsourcing provider. This is an additional cost of supply, leading to higher costs for end-users or lower rates for workers, disincentivising the best talent to apply for positions. We have asked that the Home Office introduce low standard rates or caps on fees and other suitable limitations on the IDVT certified providers to prevent staffing firms being unnecessarily financially impacted. 

“Given that applications for certification only opened on 17th January we also anticipate time will be short to run an appropriate preferred supplier selection process to establish new relationships with IDVT certified providers ahead of the new rules coming into force. There may be a problematic period when firms can no longer use the COVID-19 checking processes, but won’t be ready to use a digital solution. This will increase time to hire at a time when skills are already in short supply and has the potential to exclude candidates who aren’t able to complete a face-to-face RTW check. We have written to the Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, calling on the Home Office to address these issues raised and to temporarily extend the Covid-19 RTW check, providing an overlap with the digitalised process, to allow time for businesses to set up their arrangements with certified providers.”

Share this article on social media

APSCo, Covid-19, Home Office, Right to Work, RTW
Categories Employers

Home Office makes ‘sensible decision’ on Right to Work

21/06/2021
All Regions, UK

Following lobbying from recruitment sector bodies, the Home Office has announced a further delay to the resumption of physical Right to Work checks.

Since March last year, temporary measures have been in place that allow employers to check potential employees have the right to work using video calls and by accepting scanned documents rather than originals.

However, these measures were due to come to an end on June 21 and from that point employers would have been required to return to conducting in-person checks.

Both the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) had called for this to be pushed back following the announcement of a four-week delay to the easing of the UK lockdown.

The REC estimated that more than 300,000 people a week could be delayed from starting work if the Home Office did not allow digital Right to Work checks to continue during the extended lockdown period.

Last week the Home Office announced an extension of digital Right to Work checks until 1 September, in line with the delay in the lifting of the remaining restrictions.

“This will ensure employers have sufficient time to put measures in place to enable face to face document checks,” it said in a factsheet.

Permanent change next step?

In response to the announcement, Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, said: “This is a sensible decision that will keep the jobs market moving. We’re pleased government has listened, and we look forward to working with the Home Office on the next logical step – a permanent digital system.”

Both the REC and APSCo have previously called on the government to put in place a permanent digital solution, arguing the success of the systems put in place during the pandemic proved such systems were workable on a long-term basis.

This has also been backed by specialist background screening and identity services firm Sterling.

Steve Smith, Managing Director for EMEA at Sterling, said: “Getting the Right to Work share code process in place over the course of the pandemic has been incredibly valuable for employers. In some instances it has streamlined RTW checks and has the potential to make some procedures more robust. In fact, we’ve witnessed organisations build digital and biometric identity checks into their screening programmes which decreased the potential for identity fraud, and any steps to drive compliance should certainly be welcomed and embraced more broadly.

“While there are circumstances that will necessitate in-person verification in the future, we would be disappointed to see the hard work that has gone into the digital solution over the last 18 months go to waste. It is our hope that the government and the Home Office use this extension period to consider how a hybrid approach to in-person and digital checks could work.”

Photo courtesy of Canva.com

Share this article on social media

Employer, Home Office, Recruitment, Right to Work
Categories Employers

Tag: Home Office

Home Office RTW processes flawed, according to APSCo

Home Office makes ‘sensible decision’ on Right to Work