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Law-breaking agencies won't be named
Page 7
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COVER STORY
Sy Chris Tiridatt THE GOVERNMENT is not releasing the names of 18 driver recruitment agencies it has warned for breaking the law following an investigation, because it doesn't want to "blacklist" them.
The intelligence-led investigation into West Midlands driver agencies found that 18 of the 21 agencies inspected had broken the law a total of 80 times.
Offences included failing to confirm drivers' identities and not checking health and safety risks with hirers.
The Department for Business. Innovation and Skills (DBIS) is considering taking further action in a number of cases. But it tells CM it will not be informing the public who the firms are.
A spokesman says: "The first piece of action is a warning [because] quite a lot of the time the agencies don't even know what their obligations are. For example, some may not realise they have to double-check identities. This gives them a chance to comply."
"What we don't want to do is to steam in and close down businesses." he adds. "We don't want to create a situation where you blacklist a company. Follow-up investigations will take place, and if
they are still not complying, we can take further action like prosecution, or seek a banning order."
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) says it does not know if any of the 18 companies are members of its 250-strong Driver Group.
REC head of public policy Anne Fairweather says: "Yes, it's unfortunate, but I can see where they [DBIS] are coming from. It's right the government gives them an opportunity to correct their practices."