Tick Tock Tax O’Clock: The Bridgegate Edition

HMRC’s turning up the heat on the UK’s private security scene and the spotlight’s on us.

Big changes are coming... and they could hit your operation hard.

Stay sharp. Stay compliant. Stay ahead.

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Heads Up: September’s Coming…

HMRC’s cracking down and the security industry’s in the spotlight. Over 12,000 security firms across the UK have been sent letters about dodgy payroll, tax issues, and dodgy employment setups. Why? Because HMRC wants to claw back £1 billion in unpaid tax and they’re coming hard for our industry.

Why us?

Private security’s been flagged as a high-risk sector. That means nightclub door teams, event security – the lot. HMRC’s sending out taskforces, doing on-site checks, and digging into how people are getting paid. If you’re running a legit operation, you’re good. But if anything’s off, now’s the time to sort it.

👉 Check out the HMRC letter here

Are You Actually 100% Sure Your Security Setup’s Legit?

Let’s be real – when was the last time you double-checked how your team’s getting paid?

Are their Door Supervisors and Guards classed as self-employed?

If they are, here’s the deal: No sick pay. No holiday pay. No minimum wage guarantee. No legal protection. Basically – they’re on their own. That makes them way more open to being underpaid and overworked.

Using labour providers or subcontractors?

That’s where things get messy. If you’re not vetting who you work with properly, you could be opening the door to dodgy practices and HMRC fines that’ll seriously ruin your night. If you’re running a club or bar, you need to know your security partners aren’t cutting corners. Because if they are, your name’s on the line too.

Do you know the hidden dangers of working with a non-compliant security company?

Legal and Financial Penalties

If your security contractors don’t pay their taxes or National Insurance, you could be on the hook for it. Misclassifying workers or breaking employment laws can also hit your insurance and leave you facing serious claims.

Reputational Damage

If you’re linked to dodgy firms, your brand takes a hit. Clients start doubting your checks and ethics, and bad press can stick around way longer than you want. Keep your name clean by working only with the legit players.

Operational Disruptions

If your security provider isn’t playing by the rules, expect service headaches. Investigations or sanctions can mess with your shifts, and you might get hit with audits just for being connected. Keep things running smooth by working with providers who stick to the rules.

Are you putting yourself at risk of a hefty fine and criminal prosecution?

Chasing Cheap Security? You Could Be Backing a Fraudulent Supply Chain

Going for the cheapest deal might look good on paper, but it could mean working with suppliers who dodge tax, underpay staff, and run shady payroll setups. That puts you at serious risk, even if you didn’t know about it.

What could happen?

If HMRC finds fraud in your supply chain, you could be on the hook with tax bills going back as far as 20 years. And under the Kittel ruling, HMRC can block your VAT claim if they reckon you “knew or should have known” your suppliers were up to no good. If anyone in your business helps facilitate tax evasion and you’ve got no prevention plan in place, you could face Corporate Criminal Offence (CCO) charges.

The fix?

Don’t just go with whoever’s cheapest. Make sure your security providers are:

Transparent in payroll
Compliant with tax and National Insurance
Properly accredited and transparent

Sort your supply chain checks and prevention measures. It’s the best way to protect your business from fines, legal heat and a serious dent to your rep.

Don’t Get Caught Out with a Big Joe

You know the type – cheapest quote, zero paperwork and a handshake deal at the pub. When it comes to security, that just won’t cut it. Here’s what to look for instead.

A Proper Security Partner Should:

Play by the rules
They should be fully on it with PAYE, National Insurance and employment law. No dodgy contracts. No off-the-books nonsense.
Be certified and switched on
Check they’ve got the right accreditations and that they actually do risk assessments, give proper assignment briefs and know your venue’s setup inside out.
Keep it transparent
No secrets. You want clear paperwork, open comms and full visibility on how they run things.
Get checked regularly
A decent firm welcomes audits both in-house and external to keep everything clean and compliant.

Bottom line: If they can’t tick these boxes, they’re not worth the risk. Don’t choose a Big Joe. Choose someone who’s got your back legally, financially, and on the door.

Time’s ticking.

Get your house in order before the deadline hits.

Know What You’re Dealing With

Before you sign with any security supplier, make sure you’re not walking into legal or financial trouble. Check your own compliance. Make sure they’re legit on tax, payroll & employment. Watch for any signs of modern slavery or exploitation.

Do Your Due Diligence

Check out your suppliers properly. If you spot any risks, don’t just shrug them off, tackle them head-on. Know how deep your supply chain goes and how workers relate to the labour providers.

Keep On Top of Due Diligence

Risk checks aren’t a one-time thing, keep monitoring and reviewing regularly. Doing this helps protect your business from financial hits, operational headaches, and damage to your rep.

Get in Touch with Our Team

At Bridgegate Security, compliance isn’t just a box to tick, it’s how we protect you.

Fully Compliant: We stick to all the tax, employment, and industry rules — no shortcuts.
Totally Transparent: You’ll always know exactly where we stand on compliance and certifications.
Always On It: We keep our risk game tight, updating everything to stay ahead of legal changes.