Category: News

“We’re all in this together. If enough laundries write to their MPs, we can really stir things up. We have a strong argument for support – let’s make sure government gets the message!” says Stevens.

You can access the TSA’s letter template below:

The measures that would particularly help the laundry industry make small, time-based changes on the Points Based System for immigration; changes to business rates; and changing the Apprenticeship Levy to allow 25% of funds to be used for non-apprenticeship training.

“UK PLC has gone through some tough times in the last few years, but the danger isn’t over yet,” says David. “Hospitality – and therefore laundry – play a key role in the UK’s economy, so the government needs to take action that helps not just the front facing industries but all the businesses that support them, too.”

In order to help with this, the TSA and Grain are creating guides on how to record this data accurately. This will help to identify areas with the greatest potential to reduce emissions. Christoph pointed out that the laundry industry has some inherent advantages that allow it to be a leader in sustainability. “Progress is already being made,” he said. “Some laundries have stopped using single use plastics for linen, for example. This is just one of the ways that being an inherently circular industry can help, as it allows you to rethink processes all along the supply chain and find more efficient ways of doing things.”

Once the assessment stage is complete, Grain and the TSA will begin to develop an overarching strategy for creating goals, targets and KPIs to clearly structure the Net Zero implementation process.

Christoph was optimistic that the industry would be able to achieve its goals. “This is a big opportunity to help a range of industries, not just laundry but textiles as a whole, as well as hospitality and other sectors that rely on them. We will be able to pool knowledge and build a proactive strategy that will work to protect businesses and the environment for future generations.

“Much of the laundry industry is already making very positive moves to reduce its energy consumption and emissions,” he said. “The good news is that laundries simply need to do more of what they are already doing!”

The last couple of years have seen both industries cope with challenging business environments, but while 2023 looks likely to see problems continue both industries are optimistic that they are well placed to weather the storm. “The UK’s holiday industry has historically held up well during economic downturns,” says Nigel. However, as people tend to book hotels close to when they need them, hotels need to be quick to react with demand forecasting to enable laundries to be able to keep up with the demand as it changes.

This is particularly true as there are potentially different variables at play with the rising cost pressures many consumers are facing and how that will play out next year. While Rona noted that she had seen volumes from hotels hold up, Helen noted that there was a difference across hotel groups and that this indicated that consumers were changing their behaviour.

The panel agreed that one of the main positives that came out of the pandemic was that it had acted as a “catalyst for change” and that it had provided the momentum for both industries to come together and work to improve things. “We wouldn’t have had these conversations before Covid,” Rona explained. “We are now seen as more of a critical supplier,” said Helen. “There is a different partnership now, it has definitely raised the bar.”

As Michael summed it up, “every challenge brings new opportunities.”

“Well, there is now.  And it’s based on world-class research from some of the most respected names in the field of infectious diseases.”

TSA believes that the NHS will have to change its polices in the light of the research.  “The need to change is even more pressing given the huge rise in energy prices,” says Stevens.  “HMRC policies allow healthcare workers to be given allowances to launder unforms at home.  But these no longer cover the costs, so they are out of pocket as well.”

Moreover, TSA believes the required shift in management practices will be good news for the NHS.  “Washing in commercial laundries, whether on site or outsourced, will result not only in safer homes and workplaces, but also offer the NHS significant efficiencies and economies of scale,” says Stevens.

The laundry industry is vital to the UK’s hospitality sector but, as it is a hidden part of the supply chain, it has often been overlooked for government support during the crises of the last few years. “The government needs to take a big picture view of these situations,” says Stevens. “The laundry industry needs to be included as one of the sectors that receives further support once the six months is up. We cannot wait half a year to find out what is happening – we need a clear long term support strategy now, to allow us to plan for the future.”

“We are encouraged by the signs that MPs are increasingly aware of the importance of laundries to the UK economy as a whole,” says David. “We will continue to lobby on behalf of our members, and the whole commercial laundry industry, but we need to see hard evidence that the government has also understood the message”

The survey will be followed up with a series of focus groups, user interviews and sessions with managers and policy writers.

The questionnaire covers the following topics:
• Existing infection controls with regards to laundry
• Current processing methods for bed, bathroom and personal clothing laundry
• Processing methods, procedures and management for soiled linen
• Attitudes towards existing infection controls policies associated with laundry
• Understanding of the barriers to care home settings implementing infection control policies
• Bed change policy
• Healthcare workers’ knowledge of infection control policies in care home settings

“The TSA and DMU have a very strong working relationship,” says Stevens. “This is the latest in a series of projects we have collaborated on. It will give us a new depth of understanding and should point the way to improving infection control in care homes.”

For more information on DMU visit dmu.ac.uk

While some companies may be wary about employing ex-offenders, Rebecca is clear that it is no riskier than hiring anyone else. “Everyone on this scheme has been fully vetted, and are all looking for a second chance,” she explains. “A lot of the time they believe that there aren’t employers out there willing to give them that chance, but I’ve seen so many success stories come out of it I would recommend it to all laundry companies. It can change lives!” Research from NFN and the Ministry of Justice backs this perspective up, with over 90 percent of businesses that employ ex-offenders agreeing that they are good attenders, motivated, reliable, good at their job and trustworthy.

One of the biggest causes of reoffending is a lack of employment opportunities for ex-offenders. While prisoners can gain a range of qualifications and skills during their sentence, it can be difficult to find work on release, particularly if ex-offenders live in, or move to, a different part of the country from the prison they served in, and they no longer have the benefit of being near local companies that may have employed them on ROTL. Furthermore, the stigma surrounding ex-offenders can also affect job prospects, despite them regaining full employee rights at the end of their sentence.

The TSA hopes that its initiative will help to create opportunities to train potential future employees.  It may also evolve into a national framework for laundries, allowing them to hire ex-offenders in parts of the country without laundry-based schemes operating from local prisons.

Jason Errington, head of operations for industries, in the prison service’s rehabilitation and care services group has been co-ordinating the laundry services with the NFN at a number of prisons and is equally enthusiastic about the potential for the scheme. “The people we get into employment generally stay in employment,” he says. “Schemes like this are an important part in reducing reoffending and are a great way to fill some of the staff shortages the laundry industry is facing.”

“Recruitment is a huge issue facing many industries across the country and it is certainly a challenge we are facing as well,” says Emma Andersson, director of finance and membership of the TSA. “We’re committed to do everything we can to help our members find the right employees. This initiative will help to do that while also offering a new start to so many people.”

The TSA is currently working with the prison service and its members to fine tune the scheme.  The Association plans to host a webinar in the future to share useful information and best practice.

Any laundries interested in learning more about the initiative and the ways they can get involved, including visiting a local prison, should contact Emma Andersson at the TSA.