Written question asked by Duke of Montrose (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 June 2011.

Gangmasters

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 6 June (WA 43), whether they consider the combined annual registration and inspection fee for Gangmasters in Band D to be proportionate for those who employ one or two unskilled workers.

Answer

The level of fee is set by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) after consultation with the industry and any change must be agreed by the Secretary of State. The licence fee in band D has remained at £400 since 2007 and covers the cost of processing the application and issuing a licence. The one-off fee for a new licence application inspection was raised from £1,600 to £1,850 in 2008, and remains at this level. No further inspection fee is due provided the licence holder pays for their renewed licence before the old one expires. The GLA is committed to exploring ways of reducing the cost to new entrants to the forestry sector and is working closely with the industry on a pilot for a light-touch inspection regime for new applicants. This approach is considering a combination of background checks and earned recognition to reduce the need for an application inspection. The band D fees from April 2007 are set out below:

Year	Licence fee for new applicants including inspection fee	Licence fee for renewals
2007-08	£2000	£400
2009 onwards	£2250	£400

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 9721; 728 c193-4WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Gangmasters
Monday, 6 June 2011
Written questions
House of Lords; Gangmasters
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Fees and charges Licensing Inspections Gangmasters
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Gangmasters

Secondary information

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