ALL GOOD THINGS
As the country prepares for Brexit negotiations, the British Cleaning Council’s Media Manager Lee Baker reflects on its possible impact on the UK cleaning industry, and imminent changes to the Council itself.
One of the most positive aspects of an organisation such as the British Cleaning Council (BCC) is that it keeps moving forward no matter who is at the wheel, and that’s hugely important, as the Council is about to undergo a number of significant changes this summer.
Chairman, Simon Hollingbery, is stepping down, as is customary after two years, with BICSc CEO, Stan Atkins, becoming Chairman and Paul Thrupp taking up the Deputy Chair role.
It’s all change in the media department too, as I will be moving on, with this, sadly, being my final column as BCC press officer.
All organisations go through changes, and it’s important they do, as fresh blood and new ideas are vital for progression. But at this time of immense change for the UK, it’s even more important that the BCC is strong and focused as life outside the EU becomes a reality.
It is, of course, impossible to turn on the TV or radio these days without hearing the word ‘Brexit’ and it looks set to dominate the political and economic agenda for many years
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to come. The BCC decided from the outset to stay neutral on the issue, and this may well have been a wise decision. However, the implications of Brexit are something nobody in the cleaning industry can shy away from.
Since the referendum there has been a significant slowdown in the UK economy, with rising prices hitting consumer spending, and falling demand dampening growth prospects. Unemployment remains at a 42 year low, but there are signs that migrant labour from the EU is starting to dry up. Applications from nurses from EU countries has dropped by 96% since last June’s poll, and farms are reporting a 20% shortfall of migrant workers to bring in the fruit and vegetable harvests.
For those who wanted to leave the EU, the current turbulence may well be viewed as a price worth paying, but many others view it as masochistic self-harm. The doom-mongers could eventually be proved wrong once Brexit negotiations get underway in earnest. But it is a very fluid situation with few experts, from either side of the political fence, able to confidently judge what might happen.
But one thing I have learnt in my three years as press officer for the BCC, is that the UK cleaning industry is very robust. The economic landscape may well change with Brexit, but I have no doubt the cleaning industry, with its usual pragmatism, will take stock and make the necessary changes to survive and stay competitive.
The BCC itself was formed during the turbulent times of the 1980s, and was an important, unified voice, for all the different sectors of the industry; a role it will play again in the post-Brexit years.
So as I sign off from the BCC, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the members and everyone I’ve met in the industry, particularly at the three superb Cleaning Shows I’ve been involved with. I know whatever happens with Brexit, the industry will remain strong, as it consists of hard working, determined and very talented people.
www.britishcleaningcouncil.org
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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