Digital right to work checks extended to April 2022 - REC reaction

This morning the Home Office announced that the end date for adjusted digital right to work checks has been delayed again, to 5 April 2022. The official guidance can be found here.

This follows extensive campaigning by the REC and others, including yesterday's letter from the REC to the Home Office urging them to extend the use of digital right to work checks until a permanent digital solution is in place, due to the current labour shortages.

In response to the announcement, Chief Executive of the REC Neil Carberry said:

“This is great news for recruiters and hiring businesses all over the country. Digital right to work checks have been a resounding success during the pandemic, allowing companies to hire quickly and safely as well as improving compliance. It makes complete sense to extend their use, especially considering the unprecedented labour shortages we are experiencing now. This move comes on the back of extensive campaigning from the REC with our last letter to the Home Office yesterday - linking the need for a delay to helping with worker shortages. We look forward to working with them further on a more permanent digital solution.”

For more information and interview enquiries, contact the REC Press Office on 020 7009 2157, 020 7009 2129 or pressoffice@rec.uk.com. Outside of regular office hours, please call 07702 568 829.