South Shropshire MP calls for crackdown on rogue car washes

In a written parliamentary question, Stuart asked ministers at the Department for Business and Trade to "bring forward legislative proposals to establish a licensing regime for hand carwashes".

Responding, the minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, Justin Madders MP said that the hand car wash sector is one of the Government's "priority areas". 

He said: "The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) have taken a proactive stance working closely with Nottingham Trent University who have utilized the template of standards established by the Responsible Car Wash Scheme to understand the issues and maximise opportunities to address them within current legislation."

"As the scheme has concluded, the Government is assessing these evaluations to understand how both to bolster compliance, and support sector-led initiatives. The Home Office and enforcement bodies, such as the GLAA, continue to support industry initiatives aimed at improving standards."

The South Shropshire MP said his call follows 'revelations' that thousands of people are being forced to work long hours for little or no pay and under the threat of violence.

He stated that many hand car washes are part of the "cash-in-hand economy" that he said means financial records are not kept.

Mr Anderson reported that it is estimated that more than £2 billion in tax revenues could be recouped over five years by cracking down on non-compliance, mainly by recovering lost corporation tax, income tax, national insurance, VAT, and business rates, he said.

Mr Anderson added that "stronger and more effective" enforcement is needed to ensure that operators comply with employment law, discharge of waste correctly, and arrange appropriate insurance cover.

In a letter to the Minister, the MP has requested urgent action to aid better enforcement.

He believes that the Department for Business and Trade should establish a mandatory licensing regime for hand car washes and that the Responsible Car Wash Scheme’s (RCWS) 'Code of Practice' should be put on a mandatory footing.

The MP is promoting the 'Safe Car Wash' App that was was launched in 2018 by modern slavery charity, The Clewer Initiative. It enables people who use hand car washes to identify and report modern slavery.

Stuart Anderson said: "Car washes should be safe for everyone, including those who work there. They should also be environmentally responsible, protecting the integrity of our natural environment and countryside. A licensing model would prevent non-compliant businesses from setting up shop in our communities.

"I hope the government will seize this opportunity to ensure the robust enforcement of regulation. In the meantime, I encourage anyone who has concerns about exploitative practices at hand car washes to report them via the Safe Car Wash App. As we have already seen, a single report could save lives."

Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association added: "It is most encouraging to see the launch of the campaign to enforce compliance with existing regulations that will aim to crack down on non-compliance in the hand car wash sector. 

"These operators openly disobey the law by dodging tax, illegally discharging toxic chemicals into storm water drains, employing people illegally and failing to provide mandatory PPE protection for workers. It is a hotbed for the practice of modern slavery and money laundering and on behalf of The Car Wash Association we greatly appreciate the valued support of Stuart Anderson MP who has chosen to tackle this issue to re-establish a level playing field with compliant car wash owners operating lawfully in this sector."