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Inaugurating changes


The APPG will make a major contribution to the cleaning and hygiene sector, says Jim Melvin, Deputy Chairman of the British Cleaning Council (BCC).


We were all delighted and very proud when the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Cleaning and Hygiene was inaugurated last month. It’s a major development for the UK’s cleaning and hygiene industry.


The APPG will make a significant contribution to the sector and it was for that reason that all of the


BCC team have been working hard for months to get this off the ground.


As part of the approach the BCC identified MPs with cleaning and hygiene businesses in their constituencies, and we worked with our member organisations as well as local companies in the industry to reach out to them. I truly want to thank everyone who helped with this outreach as your assistance has been invaluable.


It has been particularly pleasing to see how receptive and supportive MPs have been to this idea. To have 53 MPs join from all six major parties, along with three members of the House of Lords, is an incredible start and extremely encouraging.


I want to profusely thank all the Parliamentarians who have given their support, including APPG co-chairs Nigel Mills, MP for Amber Valley in Derbyshire, and The Baroness Greengross, OBE, and all the Vice-Chairs.


Two other Lords have pledged their support, the former CEO of Mitie Group PLC, The Baroness McGregor-Smith, CBE, and the former Chancellor, The Rt Hon the Lord Lamont of Lerwick.


Other well-known supporters include: former Chief Secretary to the Treasury the Rt Hon Stephen Timms; former Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, Stephen Hammond; former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions the Rt Hon Damien Green; former Minister of State for Prisons Crispin Blunt; and former Labour Party Assistant Whip Siobhain McDonagh.


Government ministers can’t take part in APPGs but having such strong experience to draw on will be a huge help.


The cleaning and hygiene sector, which employs 1.63m people and has a turnover of £54.4bn, simply must have a voice in Parliament, like many of the UK’s other big sectors.


22 | REGULAR www.britishcleaningcouncil.org twitter.com/TomoCleaning


I think this response from MPs demonstrates that many already recognise the importance of the sector and the essential role our personnel play, particularly in fighting the current pandemic. The APPG will help ensure that MPs, ministers and Government are aware of the vital work we do and ensure the sector has a say in decisions that affect us.


The challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic and the industry’s role in fighting it has been primary in encouraging us to pursue the setting up of an APPG. In particular, the need for more recognition for the work of industry personnel as key and essential workers, not only cleaning and hygiene operatives but all of our colleagues who work in other facets of the industry and are essential in deliveries, maintenance and a variety of other roles.


There are many things we’d like to see the APPG and its members pursue, but some immediate targets include:


• Recognition of the cleaning and hygiene industry and staff as key and essential workers.


• The adoption and recognition of universal training and accreditation in cleaning and hygiene across the UK.


• Promotion of the real Living Wage in the sector.


• Advocacy of best practice in mental health and mental health awareness.


• Full adherence to the Modern Slavery Act and zero tolerance of non-compliance.


• Engagement with the UK Government to accelerate progress towards sustainability and environmental targets.


MPs will choose their own agenda and priorities, but as the secretariat for the APPG, the BCC will work with them to support and advise them.


We got off to a great start and that is what it was – a start. Now the hard work begins so we have to roll up our sleeves, maintain the initial impetus, and begin the work of getting goals achieved.


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