Written question asked by Maria Miller (Conservative) on Tuesday, 11 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 November 2008. It was answered by Meg Hillier (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what original estimate was made of the costs of implementing the provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006; and what his most recent estimate is of such costs.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.Implementing the provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 required the setting up of a new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) through which unsuitable people would be barred from working with children and/or vulnerable adults. The VBS Full Business Case of 28 September 2007 showed set-up costs for 2007-08 and 2008-09 are expected to be £84 million in total, with five-year operational costs expected to be £246 million. Hence, over the five years of implementing the scheme, and vetting approximately 11.3 million people, the total costs will be £330 million. Since the figures quoted in that business case, the costs have not risen.

Secondary information