Minister threatens criminal records bureau with legal action

Home office minister Lord Falconer told the House of Lords that
he would consider legal action if the Criminal Records Bureau and
the private sector provider Capita failed to resolve current
problems in processing applications.

Lord Falconer admitted to peers that the number of enhanced
disclosure applications processed within three weeks was
“dramatically below” the 90 per cent target rate, and that a
recovery plan was now in place.

He told peers it was too early to determine what the
consequences of Capita’s failure to meet the processing
standards to date should be, 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. Both partners are integral and entirely equally committed
to the success of the service.”