A message from our Chief Executive - 17 April 2020
How the SIA is responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week I updated you on some key initiatives we are rolling out to enable businesses to continue to operate while managing this crisis.
In response to the messages we receive from you, we are constantly exploring ways to support licence applicants and their employers. This week we have introduced changes to the rules for the issue of Licence Dispensation Notices (LDN) - a facility for approved contractors. We have also taken steps to reduce the need for those renewing their licence to have to go to the Post Office.
Details of these changes are outlined below.
To make it easier for approved contractors to quickly deploy staff in the current crisis, as of today:
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A Licence Dispensation Notice (LDN) may be issued to an operative whose application is at Next Steps and has been paid for, rather than waiting until it reaches Checks in Progress
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The duration of LDNs has been extended from 10 to 20 weeks before needing to be renewed. This applies to both first and subsequent LDNs. We will keep these arrangements under review. More information on this change and guidance on the use of LDNs is available on our website
Over the last few weeks a number of you have raised concerns about having to go to a Post Office as part of the licence renewal process. In response to this, we have changed our processes so that most people who are renewing their licence will not need to go to the Post Office to have their documents checked. If you are renewing your licence, you will receive instructions through the online account so please log into your account for guidance.
We are currently working on further initiatives and I will share more information on this soon.
Our office is still closed and so for the time being we ask that people do not send any documents to us. I want to assure you that any documents already in our possession are being stored safely and will be returned as soon as it is safe to do so.
We are continuing to provide assistance through our customer support team. If you require help, please contact us through your online account or via the ‘contact us’ form on this website. We are responding to business enquiries within 48 hours, and to individuals as quickly as possible, usually within five working days.
Please continue to follow the Government advice.
Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
Ian Todd
Chief Executive