THE Security Industry Authority (SIA) has made its fees cheaper for door stewards and security firms.
The industry regulator reduced the cost of an individual SIA licence from £245 to £220 from January 1, with the reduction applying to new applicants and renewals. Annual charges for security firms’ membership of the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) have been cut from £17 to £15 per employee.
The SIA said it has been able to cut the fee levels, which had been in place since 2007, as a result of government austerity measures and “continuing improvements to working practices”.
Chairman Ruth Henig said the changes will save the industry £3 million this year.
“We are very aware of the challenges faced by both businesses and licensed individuals in this difficult climate,” she said.
In October 2010 the UK government announced a “phased transition to a new regulatory regime” for the private security industry. The SIA is working with the government and industry on plans for future regulation.
