Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Licensing of Master Locksmiths

22 September 2021 · 1 other contributor · 3,325 words

Opened by Mark Pawsey Con Rugby

Responding minister: Damian Hinds

Policing & ResourcesCrime & Law EnforcementBusiness Compliance

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Mark Pawsey raised concerns about licensing of master locksmiths in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Mr Pawsey is concerned about the lack of regulation for locksmiths in the UK, highlighting issues of unvetted and untrained individuals providing services.
  • Statistics from the Master Locksmiths Association show that two-thirds of its members have been called to repair work done by unaccredited locksmiths, with 65% reporting overcharging customers by 200 or more.
  • Mr Pawsey urges the Government to amend the Private Security Industry Act 2001 or introduce new legislation to license all locksmiths, proposing an industry-led scheme similar to the Gas Safe Register.

Key requests to Government

Mr. Pawsey urges the Government to amend the Private Security Industry Act 2001 or introduce new legislation to require all locksmiths to be licensed, suggesting an industry-led scheme similar to the Gas Safe Register for gas plumbers.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Mark Pawsey Con Rugby

Mr. Pawsey is concerned about the lack of regulation for locksmiths in the UK, highlighting that anyone can call themselves a locksmith without training or vetting. He mentions the soaring number of cases where consumers fall victim to rogue locksmiths who overcharge and provide poor service. Statistics from the Master Locksmiths Association show that two-thirds of its members have been called to repair work done by unaccredited locksmiths, with 65% reporting overcharging customers by £200 or more.

Other contributors (1)
  • Greg Knight Con North East Cambridgeshire

    A rogue locksmith often gets a job by submitting a very low estimate, then claims to find extra work during the job and raises the price. This results in customers receiving poor quality work at high prices. Mr. Knight highlighted that consumers are often severely overcharged by rogue locksmiths and may need remedial work from accredited locksmiths to correct the issues.

Government Response

Damian Hinds

It is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship for the first time, Ms Bardell. I warmly congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby—and Bulkington—(Mark Pawsey) on securing this debate. The Government recognise the important service that locksmiths provide and the risk posed when standards are left unchecked. However, there is no evidence of unlicensed locksmiths contributing to neighbourhood crime such as burglary. The Master Locksmiths Association has a robust accreditation scheme approved by Secured by Design for vetting and inspecting approved locksmiths. Consumers can use information available on the association's website to ensure they receive quality work at fair rates. There is a consumer protection framework in place, including the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which outlaws misleading practices and poor professional conduct with criminal penalties enforced by local authority trading standards officers. The Government are driving down crime through measures such as boosting police workforce, providing £45 million for safer streets fund to support areas disproportionately affected by burglary and theft, and a further £25 million for round 3 targeting the safety of public spaces, especially for women and girls. They also consider how to use the decent homes standard to keep social housing residents secure and are consulting on extending security requirements in part Q of the building regulations to existing homes too. The Government remain open to representations from trusted voices in the industry and encourage continued engagement with officials at the Home Office.

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