Job applicants could be able to hide criminal pasts under a government shake-up

Job applicants could shield their criminal pasts from potential bosses under a shake-up being considered by ministers.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said the government needs to “look again” at how much is revealed about people who have committed certain offences when they apply for positions.

Currently anyone with more than one conviction automatically has details shared with potential employers, regardless of how much time has passed.

The Supreme Court found in favour of three people who said the rule negatively impacted them and the Home Office and Ministry of Justice are considering a change.

Sajid Javid "We need to be sensible and look again." (PA)

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Mr Javid said: “We need to be sensible and look again.”

Lib Dem Sir Ed Davey said it was not “some great brainchild” of Mr Javid, who had fought such a change all the way to the Supreme Court.

Sir Ed said: “It’s something he’s rightly been forced into.”