‘No reason’ for SIA fees rise, says BII

Last week, regulatory body the Security Industry Authority (SIA) announced some details of its plans for a new regime after the SIA is disbanded.

Like the current system, doorstaff and doorstaff providers would need to be licensed, with the process handled by a new body, which will be self-financing and free of Government control. It is likely that the name SIA will be retained for the new organisation.

A consultation is due next year, with implementation not expected until 2014.

The BII, which runs training for doorstaff, is involved in discussions about the future licensing regime and is set to deliver qualifications in the new era.

There are fears that doorstaff licensing fees could increase under the new regime, which could have a knock-on effect on prices charged to pubs and clubs.

Robertson said: “We see no reason, based on our calculation of the job that is needed, for significant increases in fees [but] it would be naive to expect reductions.”

He added: “Obviously, we will need to see what happens in the consultation, but it could be a lot worse.”
Robertson also dampened fears that already-licensed doorstaff would need to apply for a new licence. He said this would be an “extremely unlikely” outcome. “If there are any changes I wouldn’t make them retrospective.”

An industry consortium is to be set up to discuss qualification requirements, Robertson added.
Speaking at the SIA conference in Sheffield last week, SIA chair Ruth Henig told delegates she realised the difficult times the pub and club industry currently faced.