Every year we are required to review the statutory fees set for both individual licensing and the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).
The Home Office laid a Statutory Instrument (SI) in Parliament on 27 April proposing changes to the ACS annual registration fees. The changes are due to come into effect on 1 June 2026.
The other change, which will also come into effect on 1 June 2026, is to the terms of the discount for those applying for additional individual SIA licences.
ACS annual registration fees
The annual ACS registration fee payable depends on how many SIA licence holders the company employs, meaning smaller and medium sized companies pay less than larger ones.
The amount to be paid per licensable individual deployed will rise from £15 to £25.
This is the first rise in the annual registration fee in the history of the ACS. The new statutory fee per licensable individual will still be lower, after accounting for inflation, than it was when the scheme was first introduced in 2006.
Discount on applications for additional licences
The 50% discount on applications for additional licences remains, but only applies if the second application is made on the same day on the same application form. In the past, a discount was possible for additional licences made at any time. However, in practice, the checks and other processes we carry out (including criminal records checks) have to be repeated in full. As we need to set licensing fees at a level to recover the full costs incurred, this is a fairer and more accurate charge.
Fee levels
We must charge and set fees for services at the level which recovers the full costs of the ACS and the associated services we provide, in a way that ensures government neither profits at the expense of consumers nor makes a loss for taxpayers to subsidise, and we calculate them on that basis. We must also do the same for the fees connected with individual licence applications, which are separate from ACS fees.
These fee changes are not as a result of our new role and work on Martyn’s Law; there are separate grant funding arrangements in place for the Home Office to fund our preparatory and future Martyn’s Law work.
Find out more
Read Changes to SIA fees your questions answered – GOV.UK to find out more about these fee changes and why they are happening.
