Figures change [-] there must be caveats to general statistics

It's often said that there are lies, damned lies and statistics. We all know that for every sound statistical claim there is always an equally sound statistical counterclaim. However, we've always taken the view that we must be open, honest and accountable and that is why we regularly update the licensing statistics and publish them on our web site.

As with any system handling thousands of applications, figures change and there must always be caveats to general statistics. Ours are no different. We endeavour to inform on the licensing figures without confounding the reader. Indeed, on the front page of our licensing statistics section at www.the-sia.org.uk, we make it abundantly clear what the four figures given for each licensable sector mean:

Number of qualified people: the number of people (as listed on the awarding bodies' qualification database) holding qualifications that make them eligible to apply for a licence in the given sector.

Applications on the system: the number of licence applications that have been entered onto the system (this figure includes licence applications being processed, licence applications returned to the applicant for clarification/ amendment, licences granted and those licences refused)

Licences granted: the number of licence applications where the licence had been granted and issued

Licences refused: the number of licence applications refused.

The statistics are published in their basic form to give the industry an overview of how licensing is progressing. In response to Steve Goodwin's Letter and Opinion article ('Regulation: what lies beneath?', SMT, June 2006, pp17-19), it is important readers bear the following points in mind…

The statistics

The quoted number of applications received prior to October 2005 does not take into account the number of applications returned to the applicant for being incomplete. As a result of this [-] and taking into account the fact that there will always be a number of accepted applications within the licensing processing system there was no shortfall.

By October 2005, a total of 63,000 applications had been received for processing and, as of 14 June 2006, that figure had risen to 166,000.

Total applications 'received and rejected' do not include rejected applications subsequently 'accepted as complete' upon resubmission. For the period October 2005 to May 2006, the actual rejection rate has been between 27% and 23% and not the 5% quoted. The percentage of refused applications is 3%.

The 30% 'fall-out' forecast by the industry and the SIA in 2003 covered all licensable sectors. One of the reasons that the SIA made the licensing criteria so clear and transparent was to avoid speculative applications. We do not know how many individuals previously working in the industry have 'deselected' themselves because they could not meet the licensing criteria. Individual companies will probably know their own figures.

The figure quoted as being the difference between qualified personnel and licensed personnel does not take into account the number of applicants refused a licence (or those with more than one licence).

Perceived licensing gas

The Qualification Database (QDB) figures are from endorsed awarding bodies, and show the number of candidates who have achieved a licence-linked qualification. Holding a recognised qualification does not mean that an individual is obliged to apply for a licence. That being the case there will always be more qualifications held than licences issued.

We have been informed on a number of occasions by industry representatives as to the reasons for time-lags between qualification and application. These are almost exclusively based on the management of logistics by the employer.

Individuals may hold more than one qualification, while qualified candidates may not satisfy other licensing criteria.

While the numbers on the QDB provide an indicator of the number of applicants who could potentially apply for a licence, for the reasons stated above they may not apply or satisfy the full licence criteria to gain an SIA licence.

Door supervisor compliance

The SIA works closely with the police service and a range of local authority partners to ensure compliance with the legislation. All evidence thus far demonstrates that compliance levels among door supervisors are extremely good. In March 2006 [-] as part of a joint police/SIA operation [-] over 600 door supervisors were checked. Of those, 93% were fully licensed.

When analysing the number of door supervisor licences granted between October 2005 and May 2006, the following factors need to be considered:

(a) Security officers may have applied for the door supervisor licence to take advantage of the flexibility to work in both sectors.

(b) The scope of door supervisor licensing was extended in September 2005 to cover other places of regulated entertainment, in addition to alcohol licensed premises.

(c) Staff churn rates within the industry.

(d) New recruits to the industry.

As at 14 June, the current position for all sectors is as follows:

• Number of qualifications: 242,000
• Number of applications received: 166,000
• Number of licenses granted : 112,000
• Number of licenses refused: 5,000

Based upon licences issues and application forms received, and assuming the predicted population levels, there is an overall compliance level of approximately 94%. The SIA is working hard to convert all the applications into licences, and then focus due and robust enforcement attention where needed.