On 30 June 2014, Home Office Minister Lord Taylor, set out the Home Office position on business licensing. In answer to questions asked in the House of Lords, Lord Taylor said that the Government expects the introduction of the statutory licensing of private security businesses to come into force in 2015. The Home Office is continuing to work with the Security Industry Authority and the security industry on regulation.
You may also wish to read February's SIA press release about the revised timetable for business licensing.
Subject to Ministerial approval, all regulated security businesses will need to hold an SIA business licence from 6 April 2015.
We have been working with the Home Office on the introduction of business licensing. Home Office Ministers have publicly stated their commitment to the regulatory reforms and the introduction of business regulation.
The Scottish Government and Department of Justice for Northern Ireland have indicated that they are supportive of a consistent UK-wide regulatory regime. Business licensing is subject to Ministerial approval and the approval of the Scottish Government and the Department of Justice for Northern Ireland.