Swindon’s specialist security firm, SSGC, acknowledges and welcomes the recent BBC File on 4 investigation shedding light on the longstanding issues of low pay and margins within the security industry. The exposé revealed security guards obtaining work licences through fraudulent means, attending deceptive training courses.
The undercover investigation highlighted concerning practices, including an undercover reporter completing a mandatory six-day course in just a day and a half, missing essential first-aid training. SSGC, while acknowledging the scrutiny from the BBC, firmly stands against the Security Industry Authority (SIA)’s approach to exclude checks on labour-only agreements—a practice exploited by several security companies to evade scrutiny, sidestep tax payments, and gain an unfair market advantage.
At SSGC, every individual directly employed or through its ACS-appointed supply chain undergoes thorough vetting and is added to the PAYE payroll. This ensures access to statutory employment rights like sick pay, holiday pay, and National Insurance, and guarantees the payment of all due taxes.
CEO David Stubbs expressed satisfaction with the external scrutiny, stating, “The security industry plays a crucial role in public safety, yet evidence persists of poor labour practices. The use of umbrella companies and the misuse of self-employment to evade statutory employment rights and proper taxation are still prevalent.”
He continued, “The ongoing issues around labour-only agreements are symptomatic of an industry faced with delivering complex services within an environment of minimum pay and extremely low margins. Tier Two-plus businesses often struggle with delayed or non-existent payments, especially on significant contracts where government reliance on big business outsourcers is high.”
David highlighted the challenge of an industry where pop-up businesses, unburdened by the real costs of employment, thrive. These entities offer low charge rates and substandard practices, influencing the profitability of industry giants while avoiding effective scrutiny.
The Security Industry Association (SIA) acknowledged criminality in the evidence presented and committed to collaborating with oversight organizations to conduct further investigations. The matter will also be referred to the police.
For more details about SSGC, please visit www.ssgc-net.com or search for SSGC on social media.
