The Fair Chance Business Alliance (FCBA) encourages UK employers to tap into a talent pool of 9.6 million working-age people with criminal records as it launches a new national campaign to advance fair chance hiring at scale as an effective solution to widening skills gaps and persistent workforce shortages.
The call to action forms a crucial part of ‘Unite 1K,’ a landmark campaign to be launched today during the UK’s inaugural Fair Chance Week (27 April – 1 May 2026) to mobilise 1,000 employers to embed truly inclusive hiring practices through adoption of the Fair Chance Charter, a ‘Disability Confident’ for the justice sector.
The FCBA emphasises that bridging the gap between overlooked talent and national skills shortages is both an economic necessity and a moral imperative. The cost of reoffending alone is now nearly double the entire Ministry of Justice (MoJ) budget at an estimated £26.3 billion each year, representing an annual burden of £672 per taxpayer. However, stable employment is proven to be one of the most effective and durable interventions against reoffending.
Keith Jones, the FCBA Chair, notes that; “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 license. 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.”
As misconceptions fade and confidence grows in the business case around fair chance hiring, forward-thinking employers adopting the Fair Chance Charter have an opportunity to remove outdated barriers, tap into a vast talent pool, and create real social impact. The FCBA is also supporting UK government ambitions of reaching an 80% employment rate, reducing the welfare burden, increasing economic activity and facilitating generational social mobility.
Fair Chance Week brings together businesses, charities and government departments, mirroring the success of Second Chance Month in the United States.
The Unite 1K campaign launches today at Virgin Group’s offices in London. The Virgin Group is a founding member of the Alliance and was among the earliest adopters of the Charter.
Nikki Humphrey, Chief People Officer at Virgin Group, comments: “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.”
To support truly inclusive workforces, Unite 1K will also deploy a new digital platform curated by Accenture, giving employers a comprehensive ecosystem of partners, insights and resources to embed fair chances into their HR approaches and business strategies. From FTSE 100 companies to regional SMEs, the Alliance is calling on businesses of all sizes to prioritise potential over past mistakes.
Businesses interested in joining the Alliance, adopting the Charter, or becoming a campaign partner can find more information at: www.fairchancealliance.co.uk