A lot changed for cleaning in 2026, and it matters whether you hire cleaners in Birmingham or clean for a living here. This roundup pulls together the real, dated updates on pay, sick pay and public contracts, with source links so you can check every point.
Key facts
- The National Living Wage rose to £12.71 an hour from 1 April 2026 for workers aged 21 and over, up 4.1% on the previous £12.21, per GOV.UK guidance summarised by Make UK.
- From 6 April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay is paid from the first day of sickness, the three day wait is gone, and the Lower Earnings Limit is removed, per Citation.
- The voluntary real Living Wage for 2025 to 2026 is £13.45 across the UK and £14.80 in London, set by the Living Wage Foundation.
- From 1 January 2026, sub central public contracts worth £207,720 including VAT must appear on Find a Tender, per Tender Radar.
- The UK cleaning, hygiene and waste sector is worth a record £66.9bn and employs around 1.49 million people, per the sector figures reported by Southend Cleaners.
What the new wage floor means in Birmingham
The legal floor moved on 1 April 2026. Anyone aged 21 or over must be paid at least £12.71 an hour, and 18 to 20 year olds at least £10.85, according to the Make UK spotlight on the Employment Rights Act.
For cleaners in Birmingham, that is the minimum, not the going rate. Most advertised cleaning roles sit above the floor, and many domestic cleaners here charge more once travel and supplies are counted. If you are hiring, budget for the floor as a hard minimum and expect reliable, insured cleaners to price a little higher.
There is also the real Living Wage, which is different from the legal one. It is a voluntary benchmark of £13.45 UK wide for 2025 to 2026, set by the Living Wage Foundation. Paying it is a simple way for a Birmingham employer to stand out and keep good staff.
Day one sick pay changes the maths
The bigger shift for 2026 is sick pay. From 6 April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay starts on the first full day of absence, the old three day waiting period is gone, and the Lower Earnings Limit has been removed, per Citation.
That matters because cleaning has a lot of part time, variable hours and agency work. Many lower paid staff were previously left out. The reform widens who qualifies, which is good news for cleaners and a planning point for anyone running a cleaning team in Birmingham.
If you employ cleaners directly, check your sick pay process now. If you are a cleaner, you have stronger cover than before, so keep records of your hours.
Public cleaning contracts and where to look
Public buyers in Birmingham, think the council, NHS trusts, schools and universities, tender cleaning work on regular one to three year cycles. In 2026 the rules on where these appear got clearer.
From 1 January 2026, sub central contracts worth £207,720 including VAT must be published on Find a Tender, per Tender Radar. Smaller notifiable contracts worth £30,000 or more go on Contracts Finder instead. Both portals are free to search.
If you run a cleaning firm and want public work, set up free alerts on those portals and watch the Birmingham region. If you are a buyer, these rules mean more of the market is visible, so you can compare bids properly.
A growing sector, but pay uptake lags
The wider picture is healthy. The UK cleaning, hygiene and waste sector is worth a record £66.9bn and employs around 1.49 million people, roughly 5% of the workforce, per figures reported by Southend Cleaners. The contract cleaning market is forecast to keep growing through 2026.
The gap is pay quality. The Living Wage Foundation notes that only a minority of the cleaning sector is paid the real Living Wage, so there is room for Birmingham employers who pay well to attract the best people.
Hiring a cleaner in Birmingham
If you are looking for a cleaner, a few simple checks save trouble later. Confirm the hourly rate is at least the £12.71 floor. Ask whether supplies and travel are included. Agree the rooms and tasks in writing before the first visit. Check references or reviews, and ask about insurance for any commercial or office work.
On CQD New Gen you can post what you need and reach local cleaners directly. There is no commission and no posting fee right now, so you keep the full value of every booking you arrange.
Finding cleaning work in Birmingham
If you clean for a living, demand is steady and the 2026 rules are in your favour. Know your worth against the £12.71 floor and the £13.45 real Living Wage. Keep a short, honest profile with the areas you cover, the jobs you do and any insurance. Respond quickly, since fast replies win more work.
List yourself on CQD New Gen to be found by local clients and businesses. It is free to join and free to be listed, so you can build a steady stream of work without fees eating your pay.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage for cleaners in Birmingham in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over, and £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds. That is the legal minimum, and many cleaning roles pay above it.
When does the new day one sick pay rule start?
From 6 April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay is paid from the first day of sickness. The old three day waiting period and the Lower Earnings Limit were both removed, which widens who can claim.
How much does a cleaner cost in Birmingham?
Expect at least the £12.71 legal floor as a minimum, with most reliable, insured cleaners pricing above that once travel and supplies are included. Agree the rate, tasks and whether supplies are included before the first visit.
Where are public cleaning contracts in Birmingham advertised?
Contracts worth £207,720 including VAT or more from councils, the NHS, schools and universities appear on Find a Tender from 1 January 2026. Smaller notifiable contracts worth £30,000 or more are on Contracts Finder. Both are free to search.
Is CQD New Gen free to use in Birmingham?
Yes. Right now it is free for both sides, with no subscription, no commission and no posting fee. Clients can post what they need and cleaners can list themselves at no cost.