To enable them to run as smoothly as possible during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a statement put out by the GLAA this morning reveals it will grant temporary licences for food production to businesses operating within the wider labour supply industry and who wish to support labour providers who currently hold GLAA licences.

Applications must be sponsored by an existing GLAA licence holder who is expected to carry out due diligence checks in line with the authority’s licensing standards.

While decisions will be made by the GLAA on a case-by-case basis and all applications will undergo rigorous risk-based checks, the GLAA adds it will aim to make decisions within five working days.

Temporary licences will be issued for a period lasting up to three months, unless the coronavirus situation changes and there are currently no plans to impose an application or inspection fee for this scheme.

Should temporary licence holders wish to supply workers for a longer period, they will be required to complete the licence application form and pay the application fee before the end of the three months.

Certain activities are also excluded from needing a GLAA licence. This includes cases where a labour provider transfers their workers to another employer at no cost because there is no work for them. Guidance on this can be read here and further information on the scheme and how to apply can be found on the GLAA website.

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