Illegal carwash operations that may be operating in Gloucestershire could face a crackdown with the change of government after new Home Secretary Yvette Cooper signalled the issue has a top priority.

Around 1,000 staff who were previously assigned to the past government's ill-fated Rwanda deportation scheme are now being redeployed to focus on UK businesses suspected of employing illegal workers - and the move has been welcomed by the Car Wash Association.

Recent Home Office data showed 78 hand car washes were fined a total of £1.5m for illegal worker offences in the first nine months of 2023 and a spokesperson for the CWA said identified malpractice amounted to "slavery".

Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the CWA, told Punchline-Gloucester.com: "In a modern society, there is no place for modern slavery. We welcome the government's initiative to target businesses employing illegal workers in car washes. However, it is disappointing that it has taken so long to address this well-documented issue."

The CWA has long been deeply concerned about a "persistent presence" of non-compliant hand car washes operating illegally and disregarding health and safety standards, he said, adding: "Despite consistently bringing this matter to the attention of previous Ministers, our concerns were largely ignored."

The CWA says it was an early supporter and funders of the Responsible Car Wash Scheme, which submitted a comprehensive report to the Home Office in September 2022.

"Unfortunately, the report did not receive the attention it deserved," Mr Balmer added.

"It is encouraging that the new Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has prioritised this issue. This focus on illegal employment in sectors like car washes is a critical step in combating modern slavery and protecting vulnerable workers. We strongly recommend that this effort be supported by an enforceable licensing scheme for hand car washes, including sanctions and enforcement by local councils and environmental health authorities."

Balmer concluded: "We hope this initiative will result in a level playing field for all law-abiding car wash operators, improved conditions for workers, and the closure of non-compliant operators that often serve as fronts for organised crime and money laundering. The Car Wash Association is committed to supporting the Government in this urgent matter and ensuring that victims are protected."

● Led by Professor Ian Clark, the Work Informalization an Place Research Group at Nottingham Trent University has been working to develop a National Licensing Scheme for Hand Car Washes. The guidance is expected to be published shortly.