A Clear View: Why England and Wales Need a Modern Licensing Scheme for Exterior cleaner regulation UK

Exterior cleaner regulation UK

In an era of rapid digital transformation, the way we establish trust is fundamentally changing. The recent rollout of a digital ID card for military veterans, designed to be stored in a smartphone app, is more than just a convenience; it's a clear signal of the UK government's direction. It serves as a test case for a wider national digital identity framework, built on the Gov.uk One Login platform.

This move towards verifiable digital credentials presents a pivotal opportunity to address a long-standing issue in the home services industry: the lack of a mandatory vetting and licensing system for tradespeople who operate on our doorsteps.

For exterior cleaning services, such as window cleaners, who have unique access to our properties, establishing this trust is not just a commercial advantage—it is a matter of public safety.

While the government refines the technology for national ID, we have a proven, successful blueprint for regulation right on our doorstep.

It's time to look to the Scottish model and build a modern, robust licensing programme for exterior cleaners in England and Wales.

The Precedent: Lessons from the Scottish Licensing Programme

For decades, Scotland has successfully regulated the window cleaning industry under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. This is not a complex, centralized bureaucracy but a practical system administered by local authorities.

Its success is built on two simple but powerful pillars:

• The "Fit and Proper Person" Test: Every applicant is subject to a mandatory criminal record check conducted by Police Scotland. This provides a crucial layer of public protection, ensuring that individuals with relevant convictions are not granted access to private homes.

• Mandatory Public Liability Insurance: Applicants must provide proof of adequate public liability insurance (typically £1 million to £5 million). This acts as a vital safety net, protecting homeowners and their property from accidental damage.

Crucially, the Scottish model focuses on public safety and accountability, not on technical skill. It doesn't assess a cleaner's ability but rather their suitability to be entrusted with access to a person's home.

It is a pragmatic framework that has successfully professionalised the industry and provided peace of mind for Scottish residents.

Exterior cleaner regulation UK

The Proposal: A 21st-Century Solution for England and Wales for a vetted and licenced Exterior cleaner regulation UK

By combining the proven principles of the Scottish system with the new digital infrastructure being developed by the UK government, we can create a world-class licensing scheme that is both effective and efficient.

A proposed framework for England and Wales would require all individuals and businesses offering exterior cleaning services to obtain a license based on the following criteria:

• Mandatory Vetting: A standardised criminal record check (DBS check) to ensure all operatives meet a baseline safety standard.

• Proof of Insurance: Verifiable, up-to-date public liability insurance to protect consumers.

• A Digital License: Upon approval, the license would be issued as a secure digital credential. This credential would be stored in the government's official Gov.uk One Login app—the same "digital wallet" being tested with veterans.

This digital-first approach offers unparalleled benefits:

• For Homeowners: Trust at a glance. A homeowner could instantly verify a tradesperson's license on their own smartphone, confirming their identity, insurance status, and that they have been vetted. This eliminates ambiguity and provides immediate reassurance.

• For Legitimate Businesses: The creation of a "competitive moat" built on trust. For companies like Shining Windows, whose entire ethos is built on transparency and accountability (the "Glass Box" philosophy), a mandatory scheme is not a burden but a validation. It allows them to clearly differentiate themselves from rogue traders and proves their commitment to professionalism. It aligns perfectly with a strategy of "Ethical Dominance", where trust is the primary asset.

• For the Industry: It raises the bar for the entire sector. A licensing scheme drives out the untrustworthy operators who damage the industry's reputation, creating a level playing field where reputable, professional companies can thrive.

The introduction of a licensing scheme is not about creating red tape.

It is about architecting a future for the industry built on a foundation of verifiable trust, public safety, and the professional standards that both consumers and legitimate businesses deserve.

The technology is imminent, the precedent is set, and the need is undeniable.