Written question asked by Diana Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 14 November 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 November 2016. It was answered by Sarah Newton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 November 2016 on behalf of the Home Office.

Vetting: EU Nationals

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions the Disclosure and Barring Service used information from the European Criminal Records Information System to make checks on people applying to work with (a) adults and (b) children since 2012.

Answer: Regardless of the nationality of the applicant, the provision of criminal record information is intended to support an employer’s safer recruitment process. An enhanced check is not a pass or fail assessment. It is the responsibility of a potential employer to ensure that the applicant is suitable to work with adults and children. This may include seeking information from other countries, including EU member states. The Government is constantly seeking ways to support employers in obtaining this information, including how prospective employees can evidence their suitability for employment through the ACRO Criminal Records Office as the UK Central Authority for the European Exchange of Criminal Records.

Secondary information