Minister angry at police check delays

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.”