ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

The British Cleaning Council (BCC) has published its most comprehensive report yet into the UK's cleaning industry. For the first time it has also broadened the scope of its research to include data from across the cleaning, waste management, landscaping and FM sectors.

The report estimates that, in total, these industries contributed almost €58 billion (£49.9 billion) to the economy in 2016, while the number of employees was 914,000.

And it says that between 2010 and 2018 there has been a 38 per cent increase in the number of companies involved in cleaning, waste, FM and landscaping services, rising from 45,970 to 63,490.

Other key findings include:• Between 2010 and 2018, the combined turnover within the four sectors rose by 34 per cent - over twice as much as the UK average

• Within the four sectors, 88 per cent of businesses employ less than 10 people

• Twenty-nine per cent of all vacancies within the four sectors were described as ‘hard to fill'

• With a predicted growth rate of nine per cent over the next five years the four sectors are set to generate 93,000 jobs by 2024

• With older people leaving the industry, a further 436,000 vacancies are set to be created through ‘replacement demand'.

The BCC's research - which is broken down by individual sector as well as reporting on the collective figures from across the cleaning, waste management, landscaping and FM industries - also captures data relating to differing wage levels, skills and qualifications, business survival rates, regional differences, job roles and training.

In addition, it looks at wider issues such as health and safety, the Labour Market Enforcement Strategy, business rates, technology and the environment.

For a copy email info@britishcleaningcouncil.org