The cleaning industry in the UK has grown exponentially in recent years, as the post-pandemic focus on cleaning standards has remained. If anything, industry professionals shifted from the background – a silent service – to being on the frontline as essential workers. What’s more, the lack of furlough for self-employed cleaners and housekeepers during these times, has made the employed cleaning market even more attractive. In fact, Bright & Beautiful, which has always employed its cleaners, has seen almost four times the number of inquiries monthly from 2019 to 2022.
Cleaning in the UK
Cleaning is an essential piece of infrastructure in the global economy, accounting for almost £60 million in the UK alone. The rise in the number of cleaning businesses applies not only to commercial but also to domestic homes. In 2020 there were 66,420 businesses operating, growing to 69,005 in 2021, with 99% of these being private businesses.* The 941,000+ directly employed cleaners in the UK, now equates to 5% of the UK workforce. *
Busy people and busy businesses
People are too busy to clean their own homes with 1 in 3 households employing a cleaner. This is a service now seen as a necessity, not a luxury for many homes. The busy working family is seen as a top demographic for domestic help, but there has been an increase in demand from both the single professionals market and the ageing population. The value that households put on their home cleanliness is at an all-time high, with strict cleaning procedures and safety measures at the top of the asks when researching whom to work with.
Businesses now expect a higher level of cleaning to prevent absence which can have a dramatic effect on a business’s operations. The Office for National Statistics reported the sickness absence rate at 2.6% in 2022, which is an increase of 0.7 points from 2019.*** Nicola Woodcock of Neighbourly Brands UK says, “Associates should be safe and healthy in their work environment, and a clean workplace will contribute to that.”
Invest in innovation and training
Recruitment over the last few years has been a hot topic across all service industries following furlough and EU staff leaving the UK. The cleaning industry certainly felt an impact, however, fully employed models were able to retain staff through furlough schemes and being able to operate as “essential workers”.
Job-seekers are increasingly turning to cleaning roles too, as they offer a largely flexible job with part-time or full-time hours. Some want to work around child care, for example, and look at businesses that can support their family life, provide holiday pay, and contribute to a pension for their future.
The British Cleaning Council also identifies an aging workforce as a potential concern with 27% of cleaners aged over 55 and only 9% under 25. Cleaning businesses that are looking at innovations to help develop their workforce will be a way to incentivise younger employers. Learning and development will be a huge focus in the coming years to create long-term careers.
* British Cleaning Council 2022 Research Report
** NatWest report on franchising partnered with the bfa 2019
*** Sickness absence in the UK labour market – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
**** Why Cleaning Could Never Be Fully Replaced by Robots or AI (linkedin.com)
