The latest data from the British Cleaning Council (BCC) show that the value of the cleaning, hygiene and waste industry jumped by more than ten percent in 12 months to reach a record-breaking figure of nearly £66.9bn.
The industry figures for 2022 are the highest ever-recorded and mark a strong recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, during which the sector’s contribution to the UK economy dipped to £57bn in 2020 and only recovered slowly to £59.8bn in 2021.
The figures also show employment in the cleaning, hygiene and waste sector increasing from 1.47m to 1.49m. This equates to approximately five percent of the UK workforce, maintaining the industry as a top ten employer in the UK.
The BCC published the figures in its annual research report, which contains a wide-ranging and detailed set of the most up-to-date industry figures available. The report is available free on request.
It includes detailed statistics on areas such as numbers of migrants in the workforce, flexible working arrangements, recruitment, skills and health and safety. It also looks at key sub-industries in detail and analyses different occupations.
The report highlights the strengths of the sector, which include the UK Cleaning Career Development Zone website also launched today and the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship. It also details challenges such as ongoing recruitment issues and an ageing workforce.
Some of the findings include that the number of sector businesses has increased year-on-year since 2013, when 47,665 companies were in operation. Today, there are more than 77,535 businesses in operation.
Nearly nine in ten (89 percent) are micro businesses, employing less than ten individuals, the report says.
Overall, the industry is 58 percent female and 42 percent male, though the make-up of some sub-industries is noticeably different. For example, less than one percent of street cleaners are female.
BCC Chair Delia Cannings said: “Our latest research shows that the cleaning, hygiene and waste sector rebounded strongly after the Covid-19 pandemic, to make a record-breaking contribution to the UK economy.
“Our figures also confirm that the sector has maintained its position as one of the ten biggest and most important industries in the UK.
“Our annual research report paints a fascinating and detailed picture of the industry and its sub-sectors, making it essential reading for sector colleagues. We are pleased to be able to offer a free copy to anyone who gets in touch with us.”
To obtain a free digital copy of the BCC’s 2025 report, email compsec@britishcleaningcouncil.org.
