CHRISTMAS Day lunch for dozens of elderly people in Welwyn Hatfield could be cancelled this year – because of Government red tape. The Mixed Group has provided a festive dinner for thousands of pensioners for nearly 35 years. But that is under threat by n
CHRISTMAS Day lunch for dozens of elderly people in Welwyn Hatfield could be cancelled this year - because of Government red tape.
The Mixed Group has provided a festive dinner for thousands of pensioners for nearly 35 years.
But that is under threat by new bureaucratic controls set to be introduced in October.
The new legislation will require anyone working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults to face a criminal record check.
The checks cost �64 a time - something the WGC charity simply could not afford.
Sean Cox, who runs The Mixed Group, said: "There is no way the trustees and I could CRB check all our volunteers, let alone fund it."
* See this week's Welwyn & Hatfield Times for further reaction.
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