Scottish Labour has levelled criticism at Disclosure Scotland after it was found the body has spent more than £100 million on temporary staff in a 12-year timeframe. The party also highlighted increasing delays in processing criminal record checks for employers and third-sector organisations, which have escalated over the past eight years.
Figures indicate a leap from around £1.9 million on temporary workers in 2012 to a staggering £39.8 million by 2018, with about £16.6 million spent in 2018 alone. Recently, nearly £9.2 million was paid out to agency and contractor staff last year, with at least another £7.5 million this year, amassing a total of approximately £103 million over the twelve years.
Data also reveals the average time for Disclosure Scotland to complete criminal record checks is on the rise, with employers experiencing longer waits, climbing to 5.9 days in 2023 from four days in 2016, especially for PVG scheme record updates. Scottish Labour’s spokesperson for children and young people, Martin Whitfield, jabbed at SNP’s handling of the agency.
He said: “The SNP’s disastrous mismanagement of Disclosure Scotland has left taxpayers footing a £100 million temp bill while waits rise. Years of SNP failure has left Disclosure Scotland in chaos, relying on expensive temporary staff to paper over the cracks.
“The safety of our schools and our public services is being put at risk by this turmoil. This is costing taxpayers millions of pounds at a time when public finances are stretched to breaking point and leaving workers in limbo while they wait for their applications to be dealt with.
“A well-functioning disclosure system is a matter of public safety – the SNP must hire the staff needed to carry out robust and speedy checks.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson responded: “While staffing and recruitment are matters for Disclosure Scotland, as with all executive agencies, the Scottish Government regularly engages with them on these issues to ensure there is no disruption to services. In 2025-26 we will continue to ensure Disclosure Scotland is fully funded to meet its statutory commitments.”
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