Fair Chance Week opens recruitment drive

The Fair Chance Business Alliance has launched the UK’s first Fair Chance Week with a call for employers to recruit more people with criminal records, describing the group as a major untapped source of working-age talent.

At the centre of the campaign is Unite 1K, an initiative aiming to get 1,000 employers to adopt the Fair Chance Charter. The Alliance describes the charter as a justice-sector equivalent of Disability Confident, intended to help organisations embed inclusive hiring practices at scale.

The Alliance says 9.6 million working-age people in the UK have criminal records. It argues that widening hiring routes would help employers facing skills shortages while supporting national efforts to raise employment levels and reduce reoffending.

The economic case is part of the campaign. The Alliance said the cost of reoffending is now estimated at £26.3 billion a year, equivalent to £672 per taxpayer. Stable employment is widely recognised as one of the strongest factors in reducing repeat offending, giving the campaign a labour market focus as well as a social one.

Keith Jones, Chair of the Fair Chance Business Alliance, said: “The UK cannot afford to sideline a ‘waiting workforce’ the size of Greater London. Many of these records stem from minor or historic incidents. For instance, in 2022, 30% of all convictions for women were for non-payment of a TV licence. Fair Chance Week is about raising awareness and championing the benefits of opening doors to opportunity, whilst proving that across every sector, there is resilient, trustworthy talent ready to work.”

Fair Chance Week runs from 27 April to 1 May and brings together businesses, charities, and government departments. The launch of Unite 1K is taking place at Virgin Group’s offices in London. Virgin Group is a founding member of the Alliance and among the earliest adopters of the charter.

Nikki Humphrey, Chief People Officer at Virgin Group, said: “People should be judged on their potential, not defined by their past. We’ve seen people who were once counted out go on to thrive in roles across Virgin. Unite 1K is an opportunity for employers across the UK to unlock this enormous pool of talented, motivated people who deserve a fair chance. It’s not just the right thing to do, it also strengthens businesses, the economy and communities. When employers create fair chances, it benefits everyone.”

Unite 1K will also be supported by a digital platform curated by Accenture, giving employers access to partners, guidance, and resources to build fair chance practices into recruitment and HR systems.

Businesses interested in joining the Alliance, adopting the charter, or becoming a campaign partner can find more information on the Fair Chance Business Alliance website.