From 28 May the Home Office will be introducing changes to the CRB identity checking guidelines, with aim being to “strengthen them in order to improve public protection.” These new guidelines will apply to all applications for a CRB check.

The new arrangements include removing 21 documents from the current accepted list for ID verification. This includes popular documents such as the National Insurance Card and TV Licence.

The new identity checking process will have three routes to check an applicant’s ID which must be followed in order. Importantly, all Non-UK/Non-EEA Nationals are expected to be validated via Route One only which reflects the gradual introduction of immigrants to provide biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photography) as part of a visa (outside the UK) or a leave to remain application.

Whilst the new guidelines will run in parallel with the existing regime until 31 August 2012 (when the current guidelines will be abolished), organisations are expected to use the new regime from 28 May 2012.

For information on the new guidelines please go to the following link:

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/crb/crb-press-releases/id-checking-changes

For further information, please contact Melanie Carter (m.carter@bwbllp.com, 020 7551 7610) or Philip Trott (p.trott@bwbllp.com, 020 7551 7722).

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This is the fourth year of LVSC's annual Big Squeeze survey, which looks at the impact of the recession and public spending cuts on London's voluntary and community sector (VCS) and the people who use their services.

The survey led to changes in policy, revision of funding decisions and increased awareness of London's VCS's work.
 

Last year’s Big Squeeze survey showed how Londoners and the VCS services they use have been hit harder than ever. For example:
 

·        81% said the demand for their services had increased in 2010-2011;

·        51% have closed services in 2010-11;

·        54% expected more services to close in 2011-12;

·        77% expected public sector funding of their organisation to decrease in
      2011-12, with those giving a figure expecting a median 31-40% cut;

·        97% said the economic climate had a negative impact on their clients in 2010-11

We would really appreciate you taking the time to complete this year's survey. The more people we can get to respond, the more informative the results!

Please help us to get as much information as we can at this difficult economic time, by completing the survey. The deadline to respond is 6 pm Monday 11^th June 2012