Charities will no longer be charged a fee to get police background checks on their volunteers, Michael Dunkley today announced.

The Premier and National Security Minister was responding to concerns raised by charities about the impact of the $100 fee for criminal record checks on each volunteer.

The fees came from the Charities Act 2014 requiring charities to vet their volunteers, as well as higher government fees passed in 2011.

The Ministry of Legal Affairs, in discussion with the Bermuda Police Service, concluded that the fees could be waived.

The Centre on Philanthropy had called in July for charities to be exempted, saying the fees could cost some organisations as much as $10,000.

“This clears the air and I’m glad of it,” Mr Dunkley said.

“There will be no charge for police background checks on people who volunteer to work for charities. As a result, fees for the vetting of their volunteers will be waived.”