The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), an executive agency of the Home Office, was
set up six years ago to carry out checks on prospective employees whose work
would bring them into contact with children and vulnerable adults. Its
declared aim is to identify those unsuitable for such work.
But a Sunday Times investigation has established that the CRB is passing files
to more than 50 recruitment agencies and corporate investigators which check
the background of people applying for jobs that may have nothing to do with
children or other vulnerable groups.
Some offer unlawful checks of potential business partners and staff, ranging
from web designers to clerical workers.
Police files were opened up with the aim of helping to protect children
from sex offenders, but are now being sold for as little as £37 to employers who
simply want to find out more about job applicants.
The CRB was established under the Police Act 1997, which stipulates that
checks be confined to those working with children and vulnerable adults, and
some specific jobs such as police officers, lawyers and accountants. Nothing else.
A check for any other reason is unlawful. It is a fraud. It is clearly illegal.
A CRB helpline offers little support. One caller who complained of an unlawful
check last week was told there was little the CRB could do to help, even
though it was accepted by the telephone operator that the rules appeared to
have been broken. “If you don’t comply, obviously they will not employ you,”
the caller was told.
You can read the whole sick story here at the Sunday Times.
As I said in my last post, and the one before, It really is time for the responsible parties
to be prosecuted. Make them understand that we will have no more of
this. This Government have declared war on its own citizens and is aiding the unscrupulous to take advantage.
Voluntary codes of conduct do not work. Demand a change in
the law, and bring it into line with the Sarbanes Oxley style of legislation
that makes individual managers not only responsible but also liable,
who can be prosecuted and even sent to prison. Corporations do not make decisions, individual Managers and Directors do. They must no longer be able to hide
behind a corporate veil of non-responsibility for their actions.
Then,
and only then will managers start feeling responsible for your personal
data which they hold in trust. It is your personal information they are selling, not theirs.
But, There IS another way!
The Libertarian Party will ensure that these databases are destroyed,
and repeal many of the draconian laws enacted over the past 10 years.
Your Life, Your Country, Your Choice.
