One In Three Of Parliament's Cleaners Face Job Losses
(Jonathan Goldberg / Alamy)
3 min read
Around a third of Parliament’s cleaners are facing job losses as the private contractor that employs them is preparing to make significant redundancies.
According to the GMB, the trade union that represents the cleaners, Churchill Cleaning is looking to cut over 1,100 hours of cleaning per week. GMB estimates that this equates to roughly 47 jobs, or around a third of the 132 cleaners employed on weekdays. About 30 further cleaners, who clean the kitchens and work on weekends, are understood to be exempt from the process.
It comes after the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, earlier this month announced that the government plans to end “outsourcing by default” across government.
Under new guidance, government departments with over £100m in annual contract spend will create five-year roadmaps to rebuild their in-house capabilities for services like cleaners and security staff. In Parliament, the majority of cleaning services have been outsourced since 2004.
“This redundancy process is a prime example of why we must end outsourcing in the public sector,” said GMB regional officer Dan Anderson.
“Churchill Cleaning are placing their bottom line ahead of looking after staff and improving the service, as so many outsourcing firms do.
“They have been unwilling to seriously pursue options to reduce the number of workers who will face compulsory exits, such as voluntary redundancies.
“Such a substantial reduction in the workforce will be devastating for our members, who will either lose their jobs, or stay and face a far heavier workload.
“The cuts will also impact the entire estate and its staff, as the amount of cleaning delivered will inevitably be affected.”
According to GMB, the cuts also come after a significant round of voluntary redundancies less than two years ago, which saw 18 cleaners depart.
Labour MP Margaret Mullane said the situation was “a disgrace”, while her party colleague Tim Roca said Parliament should end the outsourcing of its cleaning service.
Leader of the House of Commons Alan Campbell told Roca such a decision would be "in the purview of the House authorities, and if my honourable friend should wish to make his case to the appropriate House official, then I would help him in that process".
Churchill Cleaning has not responded to requests for comment.
A UK Parliament spokesperson said: “Cleaners in Parliament perform a vital role and are hugely valued. Contracts with our suppliers are awarded on the basis that high standards are always met, as well as ensuring that employment rights are respected.
“Both Houses are being kept updated and both House administrations are working to ensure there is no impact upon the cleaning standards expected by members, staff and the wider parliamentary community.”
