The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has submitted four policy proposals to Labour’s National Policy Forum, calling for pest management to be taken more seriously in housing, public health, invasive species and skills policy.
The National Policy Forum (NPF) oversees policy development for the Labour Party. It is made up of around 200 representatives, including party members, external experts and stakeholders.
The forum develops policy recommendations and helps shape what may eventually appear in Labour’s general election manifesto. The next general election is not expected until 2029.
BPCA said it wants to put the needs of professional pest management businesses in front of policymakers early, before the next manifesto is written.
The Association’s submission focuses on four areas: extending protections under Awaab’s Law, improving support for low-income homeowners, giving pest management a greater role in invasive species planning, and tackling barriers to recruiting younger workers.
Awaab’s Law and temporary accommodation
BPCA is calling for Labour to support the recommendations of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on temporary accommodation.
Awaab’s Law was introduced following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak and is intended to force social landlords to deal with serious housing hazards within set timescales.
In England, pest-related protections under Awaab’s Law will apply to social housing. BPCA says this protection is also due to be extended to private renters through the Renters’ Rights Act.
However, the association has warned that homeless families living in temporary accommodation are not yet covered, with the government only committed to implementation by the end of 2028/29.
BPCA has asked Labour to adopt the Committee’s recommendations in full, including an urgent phased rollout of Awaab’s Law, mandatory inspections of temporary accommodation before use, and proper funding for local authorities so they can provide safe accommodation.
The call follows an April report from the Committee, which found that young children and vulnerable people were regularly being placed by councils in temporary accommodation with active and significant pest infestations.
Support for low-income homeowners
BPCA has also called for government guidance on the Crisis and Resilience Fund to be updated, so councils are encouraged to use it to help low-income homeowners deal with pest infestations and other housing hazards.
The fund is designed to provide a safety net for people on low incomes who experience a financial shock, while also helping to build local financial resilience.
BPCA said renters are increasingly being supported by regulation to ensure a basic standard of housing, but low-income homeowners should not be left behind.
The association argues that better access to financial support could help homeowners afford professional pest control, rather than being forced to live with infestations or attempt unsuitable DIY treatments.
It said this would also help households meet their legal obligations, reduce the risk of pests spreading to neighbouring properties, and deliver wider public health benefits.
Invasive species planning
BPCA has asked Labour to support updated strategies for managing non-native invasive species, with more direct involvement from the professional pest management sector.
The association said climate change is making conditions across the UK more favourable for invasive species, including mosquitoes and yellow-legged hornets.
BPCA wants management strategies to be flexible enough to respond quickly to new threats, with the aim of preventing invasive species from becoming established.
It said professional pest management companies have practical knowledge that could help protect native wildlife, public health and the wider economy.
Recruiting younger workers
The final policy proposal focuses on the cost of insuring young workers on vans and work vehicles.
BPCA has warned that around 40% of the UK pest management workforce is expected to retire within the next decade.
The association said recruiting more young people will be essential if the sector is to sustain itself and meet rising demand, including demand linked to climate change and changing pest pressures.
However, BPCA said one barrier to recruitment is the cost of van insurance for younger workers.
Pest management is the joint second most expensive trade in the UK for van insurance, with an average annual cost of around £800 for a driver in their 50s. For 17 to 24-year-olds, that cost can be around four times higher, at approximately £3,000.
BPCA is calling for Labour to review possible measures to reduce the cost of insuring younger drivers on work vehicles.
The association is also asking pest management businesses to share their experiences of recruiting younger workers, including any issues linked to insurance costs.
