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Faisal Hanif is a freelance journalist on the MA Newspaper Journalism programme at City University, London and has a Masters qualification in History from the School of Oriental and African Studies. Previously, he received a BA (hons) in History at the University of Leicester, and has worked as a outreach worker for TELL MAMA, fieldwork researcher for the IPPR and an associate researcher for Datamonitor in Manchester.
He has also been published on the Guardian's online comment section and has his own blog.
The Government’s ideological drive to cut red tape threatens to undermine attempts to regulate the security industry, said James Kelly Chief Executive of the BSIA at IFSEC International 2014.
Speaking on centre stage London ExCeL Mr Kelly said the greater emphasis from Whitehall on light-touch regulation might scupper the BSIA’s attempts to improve transparency in the sector.
Mr Kelly told the audience that “in order to achieve the desired single system there is a need for primary legislation, which has been a really tough process in this Parliament.”
The BSIA supremo also spoke of how the delay in introducing stringent licensing was partly attributable to “security working too well.”
These sentiments were echoed by Bill Butler, Chief Executive of the SIA (Security Industry Association), who highlighted the success of the security operation at the 2012 London Olympics as evidence. “Security works too well, and coupled with the ideological drive for less regulation, this is driving deregulation.”
Butler further highlighted three reasons why the SIA were pusing for increased regulation:
Impact of organised crime: “This is not a small issue, it is significant,” said Butler. “This is active in every major city in the UK. There is a public safety issue and further it distorts markets and margins. The impact on legitimate business is significant.”
Poor quality: “There is a pay-as-you-go system operating, which is problematic as we feel business should maintain and demonstrate standards,” continued the SIA chief. “Makes oversight difficult and also has an impact on business and there is potential for undercutting, which distorts margins.”
Financial Equity: “Legitimate businesses get benefits from working in a licensed environment.” Therefore Mr Butler felt that they should meet some of the costs involved in this. “At present, they do so to the tune of 25% of total costs.”
Despite the Government’s reticence, the industry is overwhelming optimistic about the benefits of greater regulation, said Butler, with citing nine out of 10 security firms reportedly in favour.
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James Kelly and Bill Butler at IFSEC: Security Regulation Roadmap Towards 2015The Government’s ideological drive to cut red tape threatens to undermine attempts to regulate the security industry, the BSIA and SIA supremos told delegates on Tuesday.
Faisal Hanif
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