Joint operation ensures security staff are employed legitimately

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) and HMRC carried out operations in Bradford last week to ensure security staff were employed legitimately and treated fairly.

Operations were also conducted in London and Glasgow.

Teams attended a number of venues and spoke to security operatives to check the correct taxes were being paid and to ensure they were not victims of any labour abuse.

During the course of the targeted operation 29 venues were visited and 55 checks on operatives were carried out across the three cities. Further enquiries will be made to check on payments made in cash and any further taxes due.

Paul Fullwood, director of inspections and enforcement, SIA said: “By working together our two organisations will educate businesses and through concerted action we will focus on those who fail to comply or manipulate the law. We want a level playing field for those legitimate businesses who play by the rules.”

The SIA has been working with HMRC to educate security companies about which security staff they need to operate PAYE for. 2,500 more operatives are now correctly being paid through PAYE who were previously self-employed, protecting their rights and benefits.