British Cleaning Council

Following an announcement by the Secretary of
State for Work and Pensions, Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, regarding the defunding of several apprenticeships, the BCC issued the following statement.

David Garcia, Chair of the British Cleaning Council, which represents the £72bn cleaning, hygiene and waste sector, said: "We are extremely disappointed to hear of the planned defunding of the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative apprenticeship." 

"This is an alarming step backwards for one of the biggest industries in the UK, a sector which underpins public health and safety, and national resilience."

"The industry lobbied for this entry-level qualification for years, partly to help attract young people to work in the sector."

"Removing this foundational pathway strips new entrants of a vital professional route, undermines workforce capability at a time of acute labour shortages, and signals a devaluation of the essential skills that keep workplaces, schools, hospitals, and communities safe."

"Just over two years after the apprenticeship was approved, 88 learners have been certified, 245 apprentices are currently on the programme, and 25 employers and 15 training providers are taking part." 

"It is deeply unfair that we face once again being in the situation where the cleaning and hygiene sector spends millions of pounds annually in Levy payments but businesses do not have a dedicated cleaning and hygiene apprenticeship to invest those funds in."

"We are working with organisations across the sector to actively explore options to challenge this decision." 

Key cleaning and hygiene industry leaders have held a high-level meeting in London to discuss working together on a strategy for the sector to achieve improved Government recognition.

The British Cleaning Council (BCC) invited a number of its association members and business leaders to join it and lobbying experts for an initial meeting to scope out the potential for sector organisations to develop a unified and aligned strategic approach. 

Among the attendees were David Garcia, Jim Melvin and Simon Hollingbery of the BCC, David Wheadon of the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA), Neil Spencer-Cook of the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), Paul Ashton of the Cleaning & Support Services Association (CSSA), Lorcan Mekitarian of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA), Kevin Meighan and Darren Marston of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC).
The representatives discussed issues including:

• collective aims in terms of Government recognition and relationships
• the processes, requirements, attendees and commitment needed to succeed
• initial thoughts in terms of a uniform strategic approach
• key strategic points to interest and assist the Government to build relationships
• how marketing the project would be undertaken
• costs and contributions
• the leadership of this project.

Attendees enjoyed a lively and mostly aligned debate and unanimously agreed to resume the conversation in January. 

The BCC’s director leading on lobbying, Jim Melvin, said: “The fact is that, although we have made some progress, our sector is still not being prioritised or even listened to as much as we would like by the Government. 

“We do not get anything like the recognition our industry should get as a £69 billion sector whose 1.49 million staff are regularly on the frontline keeping the public healthy, safe and well. 

“Our skilled, technical and highly-professional industry is perfectly-placed to give expert advice to the Government in a number of areas, yet we are simply overlooked. 

“I am very pleased that we were able to get round the table with key leaders in the industry to begin initial discussions on our future strategy for the industry. I thank them for giving up valuable time to attend.  

“This is a very diverse industry with a great many component parts which we must ensure that we include and fully cover.

“We are looking to find key priority areas where we can work together to achieve progress for the industry as a whole.

“By combining together, we can offer an overall strategy that can tangibly evidence our professionalism to the Government and fully demonstrate that our expertise is invaluable.

“This was a very useful initial meeting. There was a clear feeling around the table that the industry needs to speak with one, strong voice. I look forward to continuing this conversation in the new year.”

As part of the discussion, the meeting was updated on the extensive and ongoing lobbying programme led by the BCC. 

The steps taken since April this year include:

• Positive meetings with MPs Linsey Farnsworth, Jim Dickson and Luke Charters, as well as with William Cook of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Sebastian Rees of the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR). 
• We have also been in contact with, or are reaching out to, the UK Resilience Academy, the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), the Healthy Places and AMR All-Party Parliamentary Groups, Assist FM and Dr Beccy Cooper MP. 
• The BCC published the Strategic Framework For Achieving Cleanliness And Hygiene in Public Environments, which gives systematic advice on clear and effective cleaning standards across workplaces and public spaces in the UK. The document was shared widely with MPs, Government ministers and key bodies. 
• The BCC is developing a pilot project which will see the framework implemented in one or more schools, with evidence being collected to demonstrate the impact of measures on reducing both absence rates and the spread of infection to families in the community.

The British Cleaning Council (BCC) has urged its member associations and organisations across the cleaning, hygiene and FM sector to take action on modern slavery.

Modern slavery occurs where someone is forced into working in conditions where they are exploited and their rights are breached, often involving trafficking, coercion or sexual exploitation.

While all businesses must beware of using staff who are victims of modern slavery, whether in a company itself or in its supply chain, the risks are much higher in labour intensive service providers such as cleaning and facilities management, along with security, care industry and hospitality.

In addition to the penalties imposed on service providers, the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 2015) exposes clients to investigation and possible prosecution.

Uniquely, the MSA 2015 creates vicarious liability between a company and those companies and entities which it has engaged to carry out services; a sub-contractor guilty of offences creates civil and criminal liability to all companies who have been provided service by that company.

Under the MSA 2015, commercial organizations with a turnover of over £36 million are also liable for preparing an annual slavery and human trafficking statement.

The BCC is strongly encouraging sector organisations to make themselves aware of the relevant legislation, and to take steps to identify and mitigate the risk of exploitation both within their organisation and within their supply chain.

BCC Chair David Garcia said: “Modern slavery cases are rising in the UK and behind the statistics, there is terrible human suffering."  

“All businesses in our industry need to be aware that if a sub-contractor or a supplier is using staff who are victims of modern slavery, or someone in the company is exploiting workers without the knowledge of the managers or director, not knowing about it isn’t good enough. They are also liable."

“This is not just about meeting your legal obligations, it is about showing that the industry as a whole and individual businesses are committed to human rights, sustainability, and operating responsibly.”

The Stamp Out Slavery (SOS) initiative offers companies complementary guidance on self-reviewing their risks and can also conduct independent reviews at a modest cost, providing a quality mark and assurance to prospective clients that all reasonable measures have been implemented to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

In the unlikely event of an investigation by the police or UK Border Force, evidence of awareness and response to modern slavery threats, whether externally or internally created, would be a critical element in determining whether a company had taken all possible steps.

For more information about their services, please contact SOS via the contact form on its website www.stampoutslavery.org/contact

The British Cleaning Council (BCC), which is the voice of the UK’s cleaning, hygiene and waste sector, officially elected a new Chair at its recent Annual General Meeting.

David Garcia, who has served as Deputy Chair for two years, has taken over from Delia Cannings.

David has been in the industry for over 50 years and is a well-known and respected figure.

David was the founder and former Chairman/MD of Polaris (Plastics), one of the UK’s leading providers of refuse sacks, bin liners and ancillary products to the away from home market.

He has been an active member of one of the largest BCC members, the Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA), for a number of years and is currently its Treasurer and Vice-President.

David is the driving force behind the CHSA’s hugely successful undergraduate bursary scheme and is also responsible for the annual gala ball, a hugely popular event at which association members generously raise significant funds for charity.

He said: “I’m delighted and honoured to become Chair of the BCC, following on from my colleague and friend Delia Cannings."

“I applaud Delia for her fabulous job as Chair and I profoundly thank her, on behalf of the sector."

“I’ll be doing my best to fill her big boots and add to the recognition and awareness of the sector and the BCC, which has grown immensely during her leadership."

“I am delighted to say that Immediate Past Chair Delia has kindly agreed to continue to lead on the education and training strand of our work, which will be an immense help."

“I should also take the opportunity to thank another past Chair, Jim Melvin, who has been doing   sterling work leading the BCC’s lobbying campaign, which has seen real and encouraging progress in recent months. I look forward to Jim hopefully continuing to lead on this vital initiative."

“The BCC has a fine history of effective and decisive Chairs over many years and I very much look forward to accepting the challenge in that respect."

“An important theme which I will be prioritising during my tenure is unity. In my opinion, it is essential that BCC members and the industry as a whole pull together."

“Our industry is one of the biggest in the UK, worth nearly £66.9bn a year to the country’s economy and one which employs 1.49 million people. Staff have a vital role keeping others safe, healthy and well."

“Yet, despite the progress made recently, our sector and staff still do not enjoy the recognition and respect we deserve."

“We in the sector can undoubtedly make our voice heard louder if we stand united. We are stronger together and must demonstrate that."

“All it leaves me to do is to reiterate how delighted and pleased I am to take over the ‘hot seat’ and that I will do everything I can to justify the faith my colleagues have shown in me.”

Under Delia’s leadership, the BCC had some notable achievements including launching the UK Cleaning Career Development Zone and clinching approval for the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship. The current Government has also been much more receptive so far to the BCC’s lobbying campaign.

Delia said: “I have the satisfaction of looking back on some significant progress for the BCC and the industry on several fronts during my time in office. I am honoured to have served during such a positive and encouraging period."

“I want to say ‘thank you’ to the many colleagues who have supported myself and the BCC over the last two years."

“I extend a personal welcome to David, who is a man of phenomenal integrity and colossal industry experience, and I wish him the best for the next two years.”  

The British Cleaning Council (BCC) has hailed ‘an extremely encouraging’ response from the government to its campaign to put cleaning and hygiene at the heart of the national agenda.

The BCC has recently received confirmation that the Embedding Effective Hygiene for a Resilient UK report is being considered as evidence by the government in the ongoing review of national resilience.

As part of the long-running lobbying campaign in support of the report, the BCC wrote to Cabinet Secretary Pat McFadden last autumn to offer to contribute to the review of national resilience taking place in response to Baroness Hallett’s report of the first stage of the Covid Inquiry.

A recently received response from Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Abena Oppong-Asare MP not only agreed with key recommendations in the report but also included important recognition from the Government for the ‘vital’ role of the sector.

Ms Oppong-Asare wrote: “I appreciate the British Cleaning Council’s continued interest and engagement in both national resilience and public health preparedness. Please note that the recommendations from the report have been recorded and are being considered as part of our ongoing evidence gathering for the resilience review.”

She went on to say: “The government recognises the vital role that the cleaning and hygiene sector plays in ensuring public health and mitigating key risks, both in its routine work and during public health emergencies.”

Ms Oppong-Asare added: “The emphasis in your letter on joint industry-government planning mechanisms, clear hygiene standards for public spaces, and public education on hygiene aligns with our broader efforts to support all actors in society to help us strengthen our national resilience.”

The BCC’s Immediate Past Chairman, Jim Melvin, who leads on the lobbying campaign, said: “I was delighted with this extremely encouraging response."

“We have been seeking recognition from the Government for the essential role of the sector and its staff for several years, so to read that this is finally being acknowledged is very welcome indeed."

“We have made encouraging progress since last summer with our lobbying campaign."

“Though processes move slowly and we have not yet secured the firm adoption of the Embedding Effective Hygiene for a Resilient UK report’s recommendations, we have achieved some clear indications that the wind may be shifting in our favour. We are now finally being listened to."

“We have responded and hope to meet to further discuss the synergies between our views and to investigate any potential opportunity in which the BCC, and therefore the industry, can assist.”

In recent months, there have been other encouraging developments.

The government’s new National Risk Register 2025 cited the need for ‘a national communications plan to increase awareness and encourage good hygiene’ which relates strongly to one of the APPG report’s key recommendations.

The BCC also made a submission to the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee inquiry into how the Government is dealing with the risk posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The results of this were encouraging. During the committee session, it was clear that there was wide agreement with the APPG report’s recommendations regarding hygiene standards in public places. The need for hand hygiene was discussed several times, the need for education around public health was highlighted and the key role of cleaning staff in helping tackle AMR was also flagged up.

The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) Deputy Director for Pandemic Preparedness has recently been in touch with the BCC to arrange a meeting. The BCC has continued to try to engage with a number of individual politicians such as the Secretary of State for Health Wes Streeting, and a wide range of MPs.

The BCC is also working to bolster its case by engaging with a very eminent physician who was significantly involved throughout the pandemic, who has been extremely helpful in advising on gathering hard evidence about the health impacts of improved cleaning and hygiene in specific venues.

It is also investigating whether a new APPG for the sector can be established (all UK APPGs were dissolved ahead of the last General Election) and is approaching other organisations with aligned agendas to create momentum.

The Embedding Effective Hygiene for a Resilient UK report was produced with BCC support in late 2022 by the former All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Cleaning and Hygiene Industry.

It contained key recommendations regarding cleaning and hygiene that will ensure the UK is better prepared for any future pandemic and also reduce the impact of current common infections such as flu.

The British Cleaning Council has voted unanimously to accept the Independent Washroom Services Association (IWSA) as its latest member.

The IWSA is the nationwide, non-profit making trade association for independent providers of washroom services within the UK and Ireland.

All IWSA members sign up to a code of conduct to ensure they meet high standards and deliver a high-quality service to customers.

The BCC has warmly-welcomed the IWSA, which has become its 22nd member.

BCC Chair Delia Cannings said: “I am delighted that the IWSA has joined the BCC and I very warmly welcome it."

“The synergy between the BCC and the IWSA will strengthen both organisations and help us make the cleaning, hygiene and waste sector’s voice heard more loudly."

“This will also expand our coverage in the toilet and washroom sector, providing opportunities for our members the British Toilet Association (BTA) and the IWSA to work in partnership.”

Chairperson of the IWSA Paul Thrupp said: “These are exciting times for the IWSA, and we are grateful to the BCC and its members for the opportunity to join a wonderful trade association that does so much for the cleaning, hygiene and waste industries.

“The members of the IWSA are experienced washroom specialists who collaborate, share knowledge, and address common challenges and our mission is to establish and maintain industry standards and best practices, ensuring quality and consistency among independent washroom service providers."

“There will be many opportunities to work with other BCC members to promote our industries and particularly in respect of washroom hygiene.”

A new website will transform how cleaning sector staff find out about careers development and training opportunities, and will help attract new recruits to the industry.

The UK Cleaning Career Development Zone (www.ukcleaning.org.uk) brings together information about industry training and development courses in one place for the first time, where they can be easily accessed online.

It features details of over 40 courses at frontline, supervisory and management levels and for support roles, submitted by 16 education and training bodies from across the sector as well as industry case studies, information for employers and useful links.

Industry personnel will easily be able to find the training they need to succeed in their careers on the UK Cleaning Career Development Zone, whether that means moving upwards or sideways into cleaning roles in other sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, education, engineering, manufacturing or local government, to name just a few areas employing industry staff.

Making this information more accessible will help make the sector a more attractive destination for newcomers, who will be able to find out more easily how to advance and succeed in their careers. 

A new publicity campaign promoting the website will also highlight the attractions of the industry to new joiners, with the strapline ‘The sky’s the limit’.

The British Cleaning Council (BCC) developed the new website in consultation with members. It expects more courses to be featured on the site as time progresses.

BCC Chair Delia Cannings launched the website during her opening talk on the first day of the Cleaning Show.

Delia said: “This is a hugely exciting project for the whole of the cleaning and hygiene industry and it could be a game-changer in terms of helping staff progress, and in helping attract new recruits."

“The UK Cleaning Career Development Zone helps address the lack of educational structure in terms of pathways for staff progression in the sector."

“The sector has been crying out for years for disparate course information offered by different training bodies to be brought together in one place online, where it is easy to access. Visit the Zone to find out about the training you need to succeed in your career."

“Our publicity campaign for the website will highlight the incredible career opportunities the sector offers, in order to encourage new joiners. Our message to them is ‘make a career in the cleaning and hygiene sector and the sky’s the limit’.”

Visit the Zone at www.ukcleaning.org.uk. Watch out for further information on social media under the hashtag #somanyopportunities and follow the dedicated Linked In page www.linkedin.com/company/uk-cleaning-career-development-zone