It's worth noting that in the UK, an applicants car minal background could easily be checked but the application process is only allowed to ask if you have any

It's worth noting that in the UK, an applicants car minal background could easily be checked but the application process is only allowed to ask if you have any "outstanding" issues. The idea being that crimes you have served your time for, and those that happened in the past are usually not relevant and can keep ex convicts in low paying / criminal work if used to stop them gaining legitimate work. Criminal status is protected.