Latest figures, published a The Cleaning Show London 2025, show that the value of the cleaning, hygiene and waste industry jumped by more than 10% 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 5% of the UK workforce, maintaining the industry as a top 10 employer in the UK.
The British Cleaning Council (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 recently launched UK Cleaning Career Development Zone website 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 10 (89%) are micro businesses, employing less than 10 individuals, the report says.
Overall, the industry is 58% female and 42% male, though the make-up of some sub-industries is noticeably different. For example, less than 1% 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 10 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 order your free digital copy of the BCC’s 2025 research report, email compsec@britishcleaningcouncil.org. All figures contained in the report are the latest available at the time of publication.
