VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Councillors: Vetting

Asked by Mr Andrew SnowdenConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 10 November 2025UIN 83467

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring councillors in principle tier authorities to obtain a DBS check.

Answered by Alison McGovern

Criminal record checks provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service (‘DBS checks’) for local government members are currently optional; it is for individual local authorities to adopt eligible checks as they determine necessary.

I am considering options on criminal record checks for local government members.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim