At the Fair Chance Business Alliance (FCBA), we are committed to building a fairer future for individuals, businesses, and communities by promoting equitable employment practices. In alignment with this mission, we recently submitted evidence to both the Times Crime & Justice Commission and the Justice Committee inquiry. Our contributions focus on pivotal reforms in the areas of prisons, probation, and rehabilitation to reduce barriers faced by people with criminal records in accessing meaningful employment.
Key Highlights from Our Submissions
Our evidence identifies critical areas where reform can drive transformative change:
- Maximising Social Value Commitments for Marginalised Groups
We proposed extending principles similar to Section 106 agreements to public procurement processes, requiring employers working with government contracts to prioritise meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with criminal records. We want to see more businesses’ actually making jobs available to people with an offending history – walking the walk, not just talking the talk. - Strengthening Employer Compliance with ICO Guidance
We emphasised the need for clear and practical guidance on managing criminal record data under the UK GDPR. Our recommendations include developing role-specific case studies, increasing employer awareness through training, and implementing stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with lawful data processing. - Reforming the Criminal Records Disclosure System
Aligned with the Fair Checks campaign, our submission advocates for simplifying disclosure rules, wiping childhood offences, and eliminating lifetime disclosures for short sentences. These changes would foster fairness and proportionality in the system, enabling individuals to rebuild their lives without undue stigma.
We are proud to champion these vital conversations and invite others to join us in making a difference.
