Almost 8,000 illegal workers at the centre of a security industry vetting scandal had National Insurance numbers. Some were given the numbers after the introduction of ‘tougher checks’, a letter written by Work and Pensions Minister Stephen Timms reveals. Last night, the Tories said it was yet more evidence of ‘shambolic administration’ at the heart of Government.

According to KPMG’s US Background Screening Industry (Update April 08), “Demand for specialized or “niche” background screening products such as international background screening is expected to continue at accelerated rates despite a difficult macroeconomic environment.”