Home Office minister Lord Falconer told the House of Lords this week that he would consider legal action if the Criminal Records Bureau and the private sector provider Capita failed to resolve problems in processing applications.
Lord Falconer admitted to peers that the number of criminal record checks processed within three weeks was "dramatically below" the 90 per cent target rate, and that a recovery plan was now in place.
Lord Falconer told peers it was too early to determine the consequences of Capita's failure to meet application processing service standards to date, but added: "It is critical to reach a solution with the company as quickly as possible. If that is not possible, we will have to examine the legal remedies."
A Home Office spokesperson, who refused to discuss the CRB's contract with Capita, said: "The CRB and Capita are working in partnership to achieve and exceed customer service targets."
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