Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons the Security Industry Authority has been unable to process promptly online applications for its licences; and if she will make a statement.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) launched a new IT system in July 2016 which is experiencing some difficulties due to system defects which are being resolved. Some applications are therefore taking longer to process than anticipated.
We are closely monitoring the performance of the SIA, and are working with them to ensure a return to expected service standards.