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<p>This government has recently reviewed and made significant changes to the Rehabilitation
of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 amended
the ROA to significantly reduce the length of time that someone needs to disclose
most criminal records. These reforms will improve access to employment, which we know
is a key factor in supporting rehabilitation and enabling former offenders to reintegrate
into the community. Serious violent, sexual, or terrorist offences are excluded from
these changes and continue to never be spent.</p><p>Where a person has a conviction
disclosed, we are clear that this should not be an automatic bar to employment. Our
guidance for employers states that they should make a balanced judgment on whether
someone’s convictions make them unsuitable for a particular job. This should take
into account the person’s age at the time of the offence, how long ago it took place,
the nature of the offence and its relevance to the position in question, among other
factors.</p><p>The ROA is kept under review. There are no current plans to make further
changes, but please see further the answer I gave on 4 April to Question <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-03-19/hl3362"
target="_blank">HL3362</a>.</p>
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