In correspondence to the government, BCC Chair Delia Cannings emphasised the importance of fully adopting the 11 recommendations set out by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Cleaning and Hygiene Industry in their report titled "Embedding Effective Hygiene for a Resilient UK" from the previous year.
Implementing these suggestions would not only bolster the UK's defences against prevalent infections such as various Covid strains or influenza but also ensure the country is well-equipped to handle potential health crises in the future.
This appeal is particularly timely as the Pirola Covid variant appears to be gaining traction in the UK. Data indicates a surge in Covid infections since July, with 100,516 new cases recorded by 10 September.
Throughout the year, starting from February, the BCC, in collaboration with entities within the £59bn cleaning, hygiene, and waste sector, has been advocating for the government's endorsement of the APPG report.
The movement has garnered the support of over 500 professionals in the industry who have voiced their concerns by reaching out to their respective MPs.
The BCC's website provides a template for industry participants to tailor and forward to their MPs, rallying more backing for the cause.
BCC Chair Delia Cannings said: “I call on the Prime Minister and Government to put cleaning and hygiene at the heart of the national agenda going forward and to recognise the vital, frontline role the sector’s skilled and professional cleaning staff have in keeping people healthy, well and safe.
“The rise of a new Covid variant puts in sharp focus our campaign for cleaning and hygiene to be made a national priority and makes it more important than ever.
“These 11 measures, which were all recommended by experts in public health and cleaning and hygiene, will help protect the nation’s health and reduce the number of people who fall ill or die every year.
“Until the Government learns the lessons of the last pandemic and adopts the measures recommended in the APPG report, they are gambling with people’s lives.”
Industry members can visit https://britishcleaningcouncil.org/2023/02/06/download-letter-here to find the letter, APPG report and details of their local MP or scan the QR code.