Security fear over blacklist hotline

Industry campaigners are warning that a blacklist hotline could be used by unscrupulous employers to victimise construction workers.

Officials at the Information Commissioner's Office set up the hotline in the wake of an industry blacklist run by Ian Kerr under the name of the Consulting Association.

Data was held on 3,213 workers and the vetting service was used by 40 major contractors.

Worried workers can now ring a hotline to check if their names are on the list.

But industry safety campaigner Mick Holder warned: "Unscrupulous employers could use this hotline all over again to check if potential employees are on the list. The only difference this time is that the service will be free."

ICO officials said that anyone checking their details will need to provide their name, date of birth and National Insurance number.

But contractjournal.com contacted the number today and was able to confirm one of our reporters was not on the list simply by giving their name.

A spokesperson for the ICO said: "Some people who have worked in the construction industry may want to know whether their personal details were held on Ian Kerr’s database.

"Following our intervention Mr Kerr has ceased trading and as people may have been denied employment because of the activities of The Consulting Association, the ICO has taken the unusual step of taking control of the database.

"From today we will be able to provide people with the records held about them, and in order to allow people enough time to contact us to get their information we will hold the material for the next six months. People who think they have been affected should ring us on 08456 30 60 60 and be ready to give us their name, date of birth and National Insurance number. We are open weekdays between 9am and 5pm."