ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the cleaning and hygiene sector has been inaugurated in the UK.

An APPG is an informal cross-party group run by and for members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, though many choose to involve individuals and organisations from outside Parliament in their administration and activities.

APPG members meet to discuss a particular issue of concern and explore relevant issues relating to their topic. They regularly examine issues of policy relating to particular areas - discussing new developments, inviting stakeholders and Government ministers to speak at their meetings.

A total of 53 MPs and three members of the House of Lords have joined the cleaning and hygiene industry group. Members of six parties are taking part - the Conservative, Labour, Scottish National Party, Democratic Unionist Party, Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrats - and participants include some of the most prominent parliamentarians in the country.

At the inauguration meeting MPs elected Nigel Mills, MP for Amber Valley, and The Baroness Greengross as co-chairs, and agreed on vice chairs and the make-up of the committee which will run the group.

The British Cleaning Council (BCC) is sponsoring the APPG. Chairman Paul Thrupp and deputy chairman Jim Melvin addressed the group at the inauguration. It will now represent the the interests of the cleaning and hygiene sector in Parliament and seek to influence MPs, ministers and government.

Paul Thrupp said: "This is a historic day for our industry. The establishment of the APPG is a major development for the cleaning and hygiene sector. I'm delighted that we have achieved this.

"The APPG will help ensure policy-makers are aware of the vital work we do and ensure the sector's voice is heard in decisions that affect it. An industry of such large scale and huge importance as ours needs to have this kind of representation in Parliament.

"I'm particularly pleased that so many MPs have agreed to give the group their backing. Such widespread backing will ensure it is highly-credible and influential."

Jim Melvin said "This groundswell of support shows there is growing recognition of the industry's contribution and the vital work of its personnel, particularly in the fight against Covid-19.

"Though there are many important issues for the APPG to discuss, we'd like it to focus on the status of the sector's operatives as key and essential workers, and their need for Covid-19 vaccination as an immediate priority."