Security clearance help

jblakes

Evening all, 

Just landed my dream job where it needs NSV security clearance. Was very happy and confident I'd pass but then been reading about finacial impacts that people have failed. 

I'm hoping somebody can easy my mind because I'm going crazy. We are a family of four. I have 35k debt (was 40 when submitted for but paid off 5k) I've two loads both around 15k each and a 5k interest free CC. Wife has 3k ish in CC and 10k left on loan. Both have never missed any payment (maybe when students 20years ago, who knows). 
I earn 45k and wife around 30k, mortgage is 190k ish and house worth around 300k. Reason for so much debt is we used a lot of the loan money/CC to pay to do house up, kitchen, garden, central heating, random other bits and bobs, instead of taking money out of house. Once mortgage is up for renewal we will be debt free (we planned it this way). Problem I see, is I wasn't able to put this down on the application form, so it looks like we have high debt (which we do) but it was planned. 

Wife has a CCJ from 2017/2018, from a parking ticket. We wasn't aware until it got to CCJ, paid to go to court and judge was an !!!!!! and wouldn't even setaside. So the day after we paid in full, it will show on wife credit report till Sept 2024.

How seriously do they factor in debt in security clearance? Part of me thinks we pay all bills on time so everybody happy, other side not so much. Anybody else had this situation and been granted it? 

Kind regards

Andy_L

What level of clearance?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

If the debt is manageable it won't be an issue. If you are struggling & thus vulnerable to corruption it may be

DullGreyGuy

Can't advise for security clearance but for the lower tests required to work in Financial Services well managed debt isn't a problem it is only if you have problems like IVAs, CCJs and other such instruments that mean you haven't kept to your agreements etc. I honestly can't say how we'd consider a satisfied CCJ of a linked financial associate 

According to https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/28547/DVSubjectsInformationLeaflet.pdf it would seem security clearance takes a similar view that debt itself isn't a problem just poorly managed debt is

jblakes

It's an SC level clearance. We are perfectly well managing it and tbh once our kid is in school in September we will be in a better position. It's just I couldn't put this in any of the forms.

I hoping the fact we haven't got an missed payments will be enough to confirm we are not struggling. 

gt568

You are worrying about nothing.  If this is it, your SC will fly through.

jblakes

Yep that is it and I really hope so.

Kind regards

stevedresden

SC they do no financial checks. 

Andy_L

stevedresden said:

SC they do no financial checks. 

• What checks are involved

  • successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
  • completion, by the individual, of a security questionnaire
  • a departmental/company records check which will include, for example personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
  • a check of both spent and unspent criminal records
  • a check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
  • a check of Security Service (MI5) records
  • exceptionally, if there are any unresolved security concerns about the individual, or if recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also be interviewed
  • in the event of any unresolved financial concerns, the individual may also be required to complete a separate financial questionnaire so that a full review of personal finances can be carried out
  • checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#security-check-sc

mark_cycling00

I think that having some debts that you can afford to pay back should be fine. Unless they're from gambling perhaps.

If you have ccjs from deciding not to pay your bills or because you took on way too much debt and stopped paying it then that is a different matter.

Doesn't sound like they check your wife's credit history.

Grumpy_chap

One important factor on the SC is whether the OP declared the debts in the application, which it sounds like the OP has.
There are two factors that might be considered. 
 - How manageable are the debts?  The OP may be subject to a follow-up conversation in this regard if there is a possible concern, rather than simple rejection from the paperwork.
 - Were the debts fully declared?  If the debts were not fully declared, this indicates a tendency to dishonesty and it would be that dishonesty that results in SC declined rather than the debts.

Holland1248

Hi, just wondered if there was any update to this? Did your SC go through Ok? I have a similar issue causing me a bit of concern. Thanks.