The Voice 2024

One of the key events at the show will be the launch of our latest research report, giving the most up-to-date and detailed overview of the current condition of the cleaning, hygiene, and waste industry, while also including detailed developments in sub-sectors.

It is vital reading. Last year, it reported that the entire industry was worth £59bn and was one of the ten biggest sectors in the UK. It will be fascinating to see what this year’s report reveals.

Find out how to sign up for a free copy, and more details of what is happening at the show, on page two.

As part of the show’s conference programme, I’ll be discussing the hugely important Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship on both days.

To avoid millions of pounds of Apprenticeship Levy payments going straight to the Government every year, the apprenticeship opportunity will enable sector firms to use those funds to invest in their staff, who can gain a valuable qualification. This in turn will support reassurance regarding health and wellbeing in public spaces and environments.

This learning and development opportunity will bolster recruitment, assist with succession planning, support continuous professional development, and help win wider recognition for the vital, skilled work of sector staff. It really is a game changer. Turn to page four and five for more.

The apprenticeship is only one rung on the formal career ladder the industry needs.

WELCOME TO THE 2024 EDITION OF THE VOICE

The Cleaning Show is, of course, a flagship event for the industry and brings us together to celebrate the importance, excellence and achievements of the sector, businesses, and staff.

The British Cleaning Council (BCC) is currently discussing with our members proposals for an exciting project which will address the lack of educational structure in terms of pathways for staff progression in the sector. Watch out for news of that in the coming year.

Making sure the voice of the industry is heard is one of the key aims of the BCC.

We are the secretariat for the sector’s All Party Parliamentary Group, which continues to lobby key bodies such as the UK Health Security Agency on industry matters and is currently looking to work together with the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene APPG (WASH).

We continue to campaign for the Government to accept the findings of the APPG report, Embedding Effective Hygiene for a Resilient UK, and thank the over

700 people who have taken part.

We have also been busy speaking to other APPGs such as Pandemic Response and Recovery and, should there be a change in Government, we have recently met with three Labour MPs and two Labour Lords.

But surely in a massive industry like ours, more people can find a few moments to get involved? This is your industry and requires your assistance.

Please give this vital campaign your support, it could help save lives. For more, turn to page six.

Hygiene poverty is a significant problem in the UK and sector businesses could play a vital role in alleviating it in our cities. Find out how

to support charity The Hygiene Bank on page five.

The BCC draws its strength from our members, and their sterling work is reflected throughout The Voice.

Find out about the UK Housekeepers Association (UKHA) summer ball on page two.

Read about a pioneering research project involving The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) and the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA) on page five.

Master of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC), Jim Melvin, looks forward to an exciting year for the association on page six.

Find out how The British Toilet Association (BTA) is supporting a national campaign calling for the inclusion of sanitary bins in men’s toilets on page seven.

On the same page, you can read about the 20th anniversary of the founding of BCC member The British Association of Cleaning in Higher Education. Happy anniversary BACHE-FM! And also read about how Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) members excelled last year.

Yours

Delia Cannings

Delia Cannings, Chair, British Cleaning Council

The UK’s biggest cleaning trade show arrives in Manchester on 13 - 14 March, bringing together thousands of cleaning and hygiene professionals for one of the highlights of the sector’s calendar.

The event is fully booked for exhibitors, with 85 now signed up, making it the biggest Manchester Cleaning Show to date. The event is free to attend, (please register first).

Attendees are attracted by the unrivalled industry opportunities the show offers.

The two-day event offers the chance to network, hear from industry experts, source new suppliers and take an exclusive look at the latest products, trends and innovations shaping the sector, all in one place.

The UK’s biggest names in the cleaning and hygiene sector are exhibiting and over 20 industry leaders and expert speakers are taking part in the Cleaning Show conference programme, to discuss essential industry topics.

THIS YEAR’S CLEANING SHOW TO BE THE BIGGEST MANCHESTER EDITION EVER

Delia Cannings, Chair of the British Cleaning Council (BCC), will be a key speaker at the show. Delia (pictured on the right) is set to welcome attendees with the opening keynote, followed by the launch of the eagerly anticipated 2024 BCC research report and an update on other key issues.

In another session, Delia will give an expert view on the benefits for employers of the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship and how to introduce it into the workplace. She will also be involved in a talk on NHS cleaning standards.

Other BCC members taking part in the conference include Lorcan Mekitarian, of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA), discussing how to avoid getting caught out by exaggerated or false marketing and product claims and our British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) colleagues, who are the authority on training issues.

Raymond Martin, of the British Toilet Association (BTA), will discuss the role of the washroom in health and wellbeing, while Kelsey Hargreaves of BICSc will tackle recruitment and succession planning and will also join Paul Ashton, of the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA), to address challenges, opportunities and next steps in the sector.

The panels and talks will also cover other important topics including supervisors and cleaning operatives discussing the view from the frontline, environmental and social governance (ESG), sustainability, technology and modern slavery.

The BCC will have a stand at the show, where you can claim a free We Clean, We Care campaign badge to wear with pride and a pen, and sign up for a free, digital edition of this year’s research report. You can also visit other BCC members at their show stands including the CSSA, BICSc and the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC).

The FWC will also be running seminars during the show and don’t miss the national window cleaning competition.

UKHA MEMBERS TO DON THEIR COWBOY HATS FOR SUMMER BALL

Yee haa! UK Housekeepers Association (UKHA) members will be dressed in denim and diamonds for a country and western themed edition of the association’s summer ball on Saturday 29 June.

The Scotland region will be hosting the event at the Doubletree by

Hilton, Dunblane, so UKHA members should get their cowboy hats, boots and jeans ready for the hoedown, featuring a country and western band.

There are early bird ticket prices available until 31 March.

VISIT WWW.UKHA.CO.UK/ NEWS/773/26/2024-UKHASUMMER-BALL-SATURDAY-29THJUNE-IN-SCOTLAND FOR MORE.

NEW INDUSTRY APPRENTICESHIP UNLOCKS MILLIONS OF POUNDS FOR STAFF TRAINING

Cleaning and hygiene sector employers interested in accessing

funds to develop their workforce now have a way of doing so for no extra cost to their businesses.

The Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship, launched in January in a major step forward for the industry, enables sector businesses to invest in their staff, providing employees an opportunity to access a recognised work-related cleaning qualification.

It paves the way for many more organisations to use compulsory Apprenticeship Levy payments they already make to fund apprenticeships, which if unused go into Government coffers.

All sector employers with an annual wage bill of more than £3 million pay the Apprenticeship Levy and can implement the apprenticeship standard in their businesses, as can smaller businesses which have been gifted Levy payments.

The apprenticeship will benefit businesses by:

developing a workforce with skills specific to the business allowing existing employees to pass on their knowledge to the next generation of employees providing employers with a motivated and fast-developing workforce.

As well as unlocking millions of pounds a year for staff training in the sector, the new apprenticeship will help the sector and staff achieve greater recognition.

The tariff is £5,000 per learner, which is inclusive of all aspects and proportionate to the quantity and quality of the work involved.

Companies interested in setting up the scheme should select a training provider, agree the delivery plan and commence the onboarding process.

The British Cleaning Council (BCC) is calling on larger businesses to gift or transfer unused Levy funds to smaller businesses which otherwise would not be able to fund Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeships.

The benefits for businesses gifting funds include: helping build stronger relationships between businesses and promoting collaboration supporting more apprentices and a more skilled workforce across the sector

providing SMEs with financial support for training and development and it is very positive for the brand image of companies gifting funds.

Can companies which do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy put employees through the Cleaning Hygiene Operative standard?

Yes. Full details of the apprenticeship funding rules are available on www.gov.uk.

Who is eligible to do the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative standard?

Apprentices need to be 16 or over, not in full time education and living in England. This apprenticeship does not apply outside of England.

Is there a minimum number of contracted hours that an operative must work before they are eligible to do the apprenticeship?

No – however, the 12 month minimum duration of each apprenticeship is based on the apprentice working at least 30 hours a week, including any off-the-job training they undertake.

If the apprentice works less than 30 hours a week, the duration of the apprenticeship must be extended.

How long will the new standard take to complete?

The duration is 12 months and the window for the apprenticeship to complete their end point assessment is three months.

Do learners need to have any existing qualifications?

There are minimum requirements for functional skills. Maths and English at Level 1 are an essential aspect and a compulsory requirement.

If a learner does not already have these qualifications, training providers will be able to support learners to obtain them.

‘We believe in the apprenticeship opportunity’, says business leader

He said: “We believe in the opportunity the apprenticeship offers. It will enable the development of the workforce, which is crucial to ensure safe and healthy environments, succession planning, staff recognition and business longevity, and allows businesses to make full use of their Levy funds.

“We were already enjoying much success through the implementation

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.BICS.ORG.UK OR WWW.CSSA-UK.CO.UK

APPEAL FOR SECTOR FIRMS TO SUPPORT THE HYGIENE BANK

Cleaning and hygiene sector firms are supporting charity The Hygiene Bank – and more industry businesses are being encouraged to give their support.

Research in recent years has highlighted the issue of hygiene poverty by showing, for example, that millions of adults are unable to afford essential hygiene products.

The Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship provides a good opportunity for staff development across the cleaning and hygiene aspect of the business, says Cliff Jones, Transformation Director for Serco Health.

of apprentices in many areas, though the cleaning and hygiene opportunity was not attracting the same interest, due to barriers to learning such as English as a second language and confidence issues.

“So we have embedded an in-house programme designed to complement the apprenticeship programme and it has all the signs of becoming the preapprenticeship taster.

“This unique model will instil confidence and promote take up as learners realise their potential and overcome the perceived barriers to learning.

“Investing in people and lifelong learning is the way forward. It is hoped that many learners from across Serco will embark onto the Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship”.

BICSC AND CSSA COLLABORATE ON INNOVATIVE INDUSTRY RESEARCH

The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) and the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA) have joined forces to work on a pioneering project – The Future of Cleaning initiative.

The two associations are working in partnership with the University of Surrey to explore innovation in the cleaning industry. Several industry companies are also involved.

The study will look at the impact that machinery, IoT sensors, robotics and data collectors can have on the actual process of cleaning.

BICSc Group Managing Director, Neil Spencer-Cook, said: “The

The Hygiene Bank was founded in 2018 to address the issue of hygiene poverty, by directing donations of essential hygiene products to organisations supporting those in poverty.

The charity will accept a range of products such as, for example, shampoo, conditioner, face and body wash, deodorant, laundry detergent, sponges, cloths, household cleaning items, loo roll, tissues, cleaning wipes, washing up liquid, toilet cleaner, polish and sprays.

Former BCC Chair and Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC) Master Jim Melvin said: “It

revolutionary research will explore the benefits of using automation in terms of productivity, cleanliness and hygiene.

“We want to understand what differences in training needs will be required when introducing these technologies to the cleaning community.”

Paul Ashton, CSSA Chairman, said: “This is a real milestone for our industry as we see two leading forces in our industry collaborate to create genuine impact in an area that is gaining more and more focus.”

An inaugural meeting was held in January to launch the trial, which is the brainchild of Chair of BICSc Soo Bartholomew.

is a scandal that hygiene poverty is affecting so many in the UK, including families and children.

“I want to highlight and truly thank the companies that are supporting The Hygiene Bank. When asked they responded immediately and they should be applauded accordingly. They are an example to all and I hope many more businesses in our sector will help.”

Paul Ashton, CSSA Chairman

Soo Bartholomew, Chair of BICSc

CALL FOR INDUSTRY COLLEAGUES TO BACK LIFE-SAVING CAMPAIGN

Over the last year, the British Cleaning Council (BCC) has campaigned to persuade the Government to recognise the need to put cleaning and hygiene at the heart of the national agenda.

The BCC is calling for the Government to adopt in full the recommendations in the report from the sector’s All Party Parliamentary Group, entitled Embedding Effective Hygiene for a Resilient UK.

The BCC called on industry colleagues to email their MP in support and, so far, over 700 people have downloaded the sample letter from the BCC website, though the Government has not yet acted.

campaign and received a reply from Health Minister Maria Caulfield MP describing the UK’s pandemic response capabilities as ‘flexible and well-tested’.

Delia Cannings said: “I was extremely disappointed and frustrated by the dismissive and complacent response, which clearly showed the Government had completely missed the point and failed to engage with this issue of national importance.

PLEASE DOWNLOAD A LETTER FROM THE BCC WEBSITE TO EMAIL TO YOUR MP. SCAN THE QR CODE TO FIND OUT MORE.

The report called on the Government to take steps to ensure the UK is better prepared for a future pandemic and much more resilient to current common infections, such as flu, which killed on average 13,500 people annually before the Covid-19 pandemic.

BCC Chair Delia Cannings wrote to PM Rishi Sunak about the

“The nation has to learn the lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic. These steps could save thousands of lives in the future.

“I sincerely thank all the industry colleagues who have so far supported this campaign but if you have not taken part, please, please do so. It is easy to do and could save lives in the future.”

WCEC IN 2024: TRADITION, PROFESSIONALISM AND FUN

Jim Melvin, Master of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC) shares a glimpse of the livery’s activities over 2024.

It’ll be an exciting year at the WCEC, with members at the fore. This will be heightened by the new membership portal where members can update profiles, book event tickets, get news updates and access resources including information about The Chartered Practitioners Register (CPR). The CPR provides a pathway to professional recognition within the cleaning industry. So, aspiring Chartered Environmental Cleaners please visit the website to enquire about application.

It’s worth highlighting fun events in the calendar, especially with younger members joining us. The Livery Walk,

where members ‘drive’ sheep across London Bridge, is an ancient livery tradition hosted by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen; it takes place on the last Sunday of September.

There’s also our proposed float celebrating cleaning through the ages at the Lord Mayor’s Show. All the liveries influence City governance, whether it’s election of the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs or partaking in City events. So, if you’d like to sponsor the cleaning float, please contact WCEC.

Our Military Awards in autumn honour the cleaning expertise of serving environmental health technicians

and cadets; we’re proud to support them. But we’ll draw the event calendar to a flourishing close at our October Let Your Hair Down charity ball. Giving back promises to be a lot of fun at this event so we’d be delighted to have our cleaning industry colleagues join us.

VISIT WWW.WC-EC.COM

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY BACHE-FM!

The British Association of Cleaning in Higher Education (BACHE-FM) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

BACHE was established in 2004 to provide support for cleaning and associated services within higher education.

Membership has grown a lot since then and it now boasts up to 20 sponsors every year at conference.

In 2022, its name changed to BACHE FM, with the strapline ‘more than just cleaning’, to recognise that many members now manage a wider remit that often includes soft services facilities management. However, cleaning remains at the association’s core.

BACHE-FM has built a strong executive and is working on its offering to members. A first supplier visit is planned for this month and work is underway on a pathways training plan for member career progression.

BTA BACKS BOYS NEED BINS

The British Toilet Association (BTA) is supporting a national campaign calling for the inclusion of sanitary bins in men’s toilets.

Over two million men across the UK may have an urgent need to visit the toilet to remove or replace a stoma or incontinence product.

But men’s public toilets often lack sanitary bins, leaving men with no convenient and hygienic way to dispose of the soiled item.

Prostate Cancer UK have teamed up with the BTA and a number of associations and charities as part of the Boys Need Bins campaign calling for the Government to make it law to have bins in all male toilets nationally.

The BTA is also urging councils they work with to tackle the issue and has encouraged Loo of the Year judges to give extra marks to toilets which feature bins for men.

Managing Director of the BTA, Raymond Martin, said: “This is about helping stop the transmission of disease by ensuring that men’s sanitary products are disposed of hygienically and safely. It is also a matter of public decency and the dignity of men who have these health issues.

The annual conference and gala dinner features an awards ceremony to recognise cleaning operatives for their efforts.

Chair of BACHE-FM, Adrian Owen, said: “The anniversary is a milestone. We are looking forward to the next 20 years supporting our members, networking and sharing best practice.

“The conference is always the highlight of our year but watch this space because we will be launching a whole lot more over the coming years.”

FOR CONFERENCE DETAILS, VISIT WWW.BACHEFM.CO.UK

“All it would need to resolve this issue would be for each men’s loo to have just one bin in a single cubicle, along with some explanatory signage on the cubicle door.”

CHSA MEMBERS EXCELLED IN 2023

Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) members achieved high levels of compliance to the relevant accreditation scheme standard in 2023.

“We offer buyers of cleaning and hygiene products an important guarantee,” explained Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the CHSA (shown on the right’). “They can trust our logo. It means the label accurately reflects the content and the product is as specified.

“Every member has also signed our code of practice, which contains the Competition and Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code.“

Members of the accreditation scheme for manufacturers of cotton mops achieved 98 per cent compliance, members of the scheme for manufacturers of plastic sacks achieved 92 per cent and members of the soft tissue accreditation scheme achieved 94 per cent compliance.

All members of the scheme for manufacturers of cleaning chemicals maintained full compliance. Manufacturing members achieved over 92 per cent compliance, and 99.8 per cent of products stocked by CHSA distributors met CHSA standards.

FOR

WWW.CHSA.CO.UK

Raymond Martin, Managing Director of the BTA

ABOUT THE BCC

Established in 1982, the British Cleaning Council (BCC) is the authoritative voice of the UK cleaning, hygiene and waste industry, a sector which according to figures reported last year, was worth £59bn a year and employed around 1.47m people, making it one of the UK’s top ten industries.

The council’s membership is made up of 21 trade and membership associations which are all linked to the cleaning, hygiene and waste professions.

From contract cleaning to waste management, pest control to housekeeping, training providers to machine manufacturers, chemical suppliers to wheelie bin-washers – the BCC coordinates, campaigns and supports the affairs of the whole of the UK’s cleaning industry.

Key priorities for the BCC and its membership include seeking recognition and key worker status for sector staff, raising professional standards, employee health and well-being, career development and training, improved quality control and better procurement practices. We are also committed to promoting higher levels of cleaning and hygiene across all environments – commercial, domestic and public.

The BCC is also the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Cleaning and Hygiene Industry and we prioritised achieving the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Apprenticeship, which offers businesses the opportunity to use Apprenticeship Levy payments to invest in staff.

The BCC is co-producer of the world-renowned Cleaning Show, which alternates annually between London and Manchester.

THE BCC’S WE CLEAN, WE CARE CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS THE PRIDE AND PROFESSIONALISM OF THE SECTOR’S SKILLED STAFF IN THEIR CRUCIAL, FRONTLINE ROLE KEEPING KEY WORKERS AND THE PUBLIC HEALTHY, SAFE AND WELL.

OUR MEMBERS

THE ASSOCIATION OF BUILDING CLEANING DSPS

THE ASSOCIATION OF HEALTHCARE CLEANING PROFESSIONALS

THE ASSOCIATION FOR PUBLIC SERVICE EXCELLENCE

THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR CLEANING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

BRITISH CHEMICALS ASSOCIATION

THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF CLEANING SCIENCE

THE BRITISH PEST CONTROL ASSOCIATION

THE BRITISH TOILET ASSOCIATION

THE CLEANING & HYGIENE SUPPLIERS’ ASSOCIATIO

THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF WASTES MANAGEMENT

THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

THE CLEANING AND SUPPORT SERVICES ASSOCIATION

THE DOMESTIC CLEANING ALLIANCE

THE FEDERATION OF WINDOW CLEANERS

THE INDUSTRIAL CLEANING MACHINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

KEEP BRITAIN TIDY

THE NATIONAL CARPET CLEANERS ASSOCIATION

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WHEELED BIN WASHERS

THE TEXTILE SERVICES ASSOCIATION

THE UK HOUSEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANERS