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Firms vetted workers on blacklist Firms vetted workers on blacklist
(about 1 hour later)
Some of Britain's leading construction firms subscribed to a secret blacklist of workers which prevented them from getting jobs, a court has heard.Some of Britain's leading construction firms subscribed to a secret blacklist of workers which prevented them from getting jobs, a court has heard.
More than 40 firms used the database of 3,213 workers to vet employees, which was run by businessman Ian Kerr, Knutsford Crown Court was told.More than 40 firms used the database of 3,213 workers to vet employees, which was run by businessman Ian Kerr, Knutsford Crown Court was told.
Kerr, 66, of Avoncroft Road, Stoke Heath, Worcestershire, has been fined £5,000 for administrating the list. Kerr, 66, of Avoncroft Road, Stoke Heath, Worcestershire, has been fined £5,000 for administering the list.
He pleaded guilty in May to breaching the Data Protection Act.He pleaded guilty in May to breaching the Data Protection Act.
Knowledge of the list emerged in March when officials from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) visited the offices of the Consulting Association, in Droitwich, Worcestershire.Knowledge of the list emerged in March when officials from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) visited the offices of the Consulting Association, in Droitwich, Worcestershire.
Kerr was one of four employees at the association, which was described in court as a construction trade association.Kerr was one of four employees at the association, which was described in court as a construction trade association.
This information was to be used covertly John Wyn Williams, prosecuting I couldn't feed my children because of that list and all Kerr gets is a £5,000 fine Mike Abbott, former construction worker
John Wyn Williams, prosecuting for the ICO, told the hearing on Thursday that the body was funded by construction companies from across the UK.John Wyn Williams, prosecuting for the ICO, told the hearing on Thursday that the body was funded by construction companies from across the UK.
"It would collate and provide information to construction companies in relation to individuals seeking employment in that industry," said Mr Wyn Williams "It would collate and provide information to construction companies in relation to individuals seeking employment in that industry," said Mr Wyn Williams.
The database included names, dates of birth, national insurance numbers and "conduct which may impact on an individual's chances for further employment", he added.The database included names, dates of birth, national insurance numbers and "conduct which may impact on an individual's chances for further employment", he added.
"This information was to be used covertly. Individuals on the database were not aware of it and could not challenge the accuracy of the information," Mr Wyn Williams told the court."This information was to be used covertly. Individuals on the database were not aware of it and could not challenge the accuracy of the information," Mr Wyn Williams told the court.
The ICO said it believed Kerr ran the blacklist for up to 15 years. The ICO said it believed Kerr ran the blacklist for up to 15 years. The court heard that accounts showed it was paid £478,000 between 2004 and March 2009.
It has named around 40 companies which were subscribers to the database, including Amec Construction, Balfour Beatty and Morgan Est. Investigation continues
Its accounts showed that between 2004 and March 2009, when it ceased trading, about £478,000 was paid to the organisation by various firms. After the hearing, ICO investigator Dave Clancy said the inquiry would continue to see if the companies involved had broken the law.
"We are looking to see if the requirements of the Data Protection Act have been complied with. We will take action in due course," said Mr Clancy.
George Guy, regional secretary for the construction workers' union Ucatt, said he was disappointed by the result of the hearing.
He said: "The people who provided this information and received it have got off scot free.
"Some of our members were out of work for years because of this list.
"They were forced to live in poverty, unable to provide for their families and they had no idea why.
"We will continue this fight until the companies involved are brought before the courts."
Mike Abbott, 77, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, was named on the list in the late 1970s and said he was only offered two jobs in one five-year period.
"I couldn't feed my children because of that list and all Kerr gets is a £5,000 fine," he said.
"I am very angry about what he did to me and many others. But he was just a front for all this."