UNITED KINGDOM
The implementation of crucial United Kingdom Government policies is being put at risk by delays in granting security clearances according to the National Audit Office (NAO).
An investigation by the NAO has found that in July more than 25,600 Government staff and contractors were waiting to be cleared by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV), which checks the background of applicants to ensure they are not a security threat.
The auditors found that the increase in the number of delayed decisions had affected the Government’s ability to conduct official business and comes at a time when “Government is managing a number of high-risk and high-profile projects”.
The report noted that delays had risen at a time that there was a “high threat of terrorism” and the UK was a “high-priority target for espionage”.
Head of the NAO, Sir Amyas Morse recommended the Government fix the problem as quickly as possible, particularly as it was hiring thousands of new recruits to work on the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (Brexit).
“Considering the pressures facing Government, the last thing we need is a non-functioning vetting system,” Sir Amyas said.
“An effective system needs to be put in place urgently to ensure the Government is able to use its staff effectively, giving them access to the right information, locations and equipment.”
UKSV was set up in January 2017 as the Government’s single vetting provider following the merger of Agencies from the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office.
The new Agency was expected to reduce costs and increase productivity.
Its job is to check that 170,000 staff, including Public Servants, contractors and specialists, can be trusted with sensitive information or in high-security areas.
The three most common categories of vetting are Counter Terrorist Check (CTC), Security Check (SC) and Developed Vetting (DV), the latter allowing access to the most sensitive material.
DV is highly personal and can take many hours to complete. Applicants can be expected to list long-term sexual partners, drinking habits, details of any drug use and tastes in pornography.
London, 9 September, 2018
