Millions to be spared paedophile checks

Published on Saturday 5 February 2011 10:06

MILLIONS of people are to be spared criminal record checks before they can work with children after a Labour government scheme is set to be scrapped by the coalition.

Only those with intensive contact with children or vulnerable people will have to submit themselves to vetting procedures under UK government plans in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Up to nine million adults who come into contact with children once a week or more would have been subject to checks.

Home Secretary Theresa May suspended the Vetting and Barring Scheme last June so a review could be held, and described the Labour-introduced scheme as "draconian". She called for a "common sense" approach which did not risk alienating volunteers doing crucial work.

The system in Scotland is devolved and will be unaffected by the changes, although the new Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme will be launched at the end of this month.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The new Scottish PVG scheme will go live on 28 February and strikes a balance between proportionate protection and robust regulation, while making it easier for employers to determine who they should check to protect their client group."

It is understood under the new proposals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland just half of the original nine million would be vetted.

The scheme was set up in 2009, seven years after the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.