To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many FTE staff are working on processing the security checks required for airport staff to begin employment.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average time taken is to process the government security checks required for a single employee of airport staff to begin employment.

I am unable to confirm staffing levels in United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) for security reasons but can confirm that there are measures in place to fast track applications submitted from the aviation sector. UKSV works closely with customer groups and authorities to understand their forecasted demand for the provision of vetting services. In turn this allows for an appropriate resourcing forecast.

I am also unable to reveal the number of National Security Vetting (NSV) checks in progress as this is likely to prejudice national security. It would also impact the protective measures employed in safeguarding Her Majesty’s Government (HMG). However, I am able to report that security checks are being processed in a timely manner and that there are no delays.

In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.