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Defence: Vetting

Asked by Mike WoodConservativeCabinet OfficeTabled Answered 2 June 2026UIN 3294

The question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the answer of 28 April 2026 to Question 128669,on Defence: Vetting, what the KPIs are of UK Security Vetting.

Answered by Dan Jarvis

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) operates to a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) agreed at Ministerial level between the Cabinet Office and departments it serves. These KPIs are designed to ensure the vetting process is both rigorous and timely, whilst also maintaining the necessary assurance for national security safeguards.

The standard Service Level Agreement for the primary levels of National Security Vetting (NSV) are:

  • Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) and Security Check (SC): 25 days

  • Developed Vetting (DV): 95 days

In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not disclose granular performance data or specific case details, as to do so could prejudice national security and provide insights into the operational thresholds of our security safeguards. UKSV remains focused on ensuring the vetting process is both rigorous and timely.

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