by Paul Francis

A construction company involved in the huge re-building programme of Kent schools has been rapped over its involvement in buying information on construction workers.

Kier Limited, which is a major partner in a £600million contract to re-build and redevelop secondary schools across the county, is one of 14 companies who have been warned by an information watchdog over the use of personal details about potential employees.

The companies were caught up in claims that they had paid thousands of pounds for personal details of workers from a private investigator.

The companies faced accusations they were using the information to blacklist certain employees.

Now the Information Commissioner’s Office has issued Kier and 13 other firms with Enforcement Notices, warning them not to use the information to vet workers for employment and saying they may be prosecuted if they do.

Kier has a major stake in the consortium that has been awarded the contract to rebuild secondary schools under the Government’s Building Schools for The Future (BSF) programme.

The first phase will involve rebuilding ten secondary schools and Kier is involved in two projects in Thanet, where it is redeveloping Dane Court Grammar School and St George’s School in Broadstairs. It is also involved in rebuilding three schools in north Kent - Northfleet Technology College, St. John’s Catholic School and Thamesview School.

David Smith, deputy information commissioner, said: ““Fourteen firms paid for personal details about construction workers without those people knowing. The individuals were denied the opportunity of explaining or correcting what may have been inaccurate personal information about them and which could have jeopardised their employment prospects in the construction industry.”

Kier Limited declined to comment.