24/02/2023
A further reduction to the licence fee
From 06 April 2023, the cost of applying for an individual licence for any sector will be reduced from £190 to £184. This is the lowest fee ever since licensing was introduced in 2004.
The reduction applies to both new applicants and those renewing existing licences.
Licence holders applying for an additional licence after this date will pay 50 per cent of the new reduced fee.
The reduction has been possible due to various efficiency and cost savings we have made. These savings have also enabled us to increase our resourcing for our inspection and enforcement work, bolstering its footprint and visibility across the UK without increasing the licence fee. We have doubled the number of staff working in intelligence, inspections, and criminal investigations.
The £6 reduction is on top of the existing £20 reduction in fees funded from previous historical surpluses under a rebate scheme approved by HM Treasury, which will continue until 2026. It also represents a three per cent efficiency savings in our operational costs. We are committed to continuing to work hard on further cost savings and efficiencies to keep the licence fee as low as possible.
Our Chief Executive Michelle Russell said:
“The licence payers and public rightly expect us to be as efficient and as economically as possible, providing value for money for those we regulate while delivering on key public safety agendas. We recognise that £6 may feel like a small amount to many, but in the context of the cost-of-living challenges, for some, every pound counts.
This latest reduction brings the licence fee down to less than it was 19 years ago when licensing was first introduced. We remain committed to regulating the private security industry effectively and efficiently keeping the cost to licence holders as low as possible."
At £184, the new licence fee is at its lowest it has ever been. If adjusted at inflation levels since 2004 the current fee level would be £350.
