UK cleaning pay is climbing fast in 2026, with the National Living Wage now at £12.71 an hour and the London Living Wage at £14.80, while the Employment Rights Act 2025 hands cleaners fresh day-one protections. Here is what the latest news means if you are hiring a cleaner or looking for cleaning work in London.
Key facts
- The National Living Wage rose to £12.71 per hour on 1 April 2026, up 4.1% from £12.21, the largest cash increase in the scheme's history (Bishop Fleming).
- The voluntary London Living Wage is now £14.80 per hour for 2025 to 2026, a 6.9% rise, with the UK-wide real Living Wage at £13.45 (Living Wage Foundation).
- Typical London house cleaning rates in 2026 run about £18 to £25 per hour, with agencies charging £22 to £26 and independent cleaners £15 to £20 (MyBuilder).
- The Employment Rights Act 2025 became law in December 2025, introducing day-one unfair dismissal protection, stronger statutory sick pay, and guaranteed hours for zero-hours workers (BICSc).
- The British Cleaning Council's 2026 report values the sector at almost £72 billion, employing around 1.51 million people, roughly 5% of the UK workforce (TwinFM).
Wages are rising across the board
The headline change this year is pay. From 1 April 2026 the government's mandatory National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over reached £12.71 an hour, and younger bands rose too, with 18 to 20 year olds moving to £10.85 (Bishop Fleming).
On top of that sits the voluntary real Living Wage, set by the Living Wage Foundation. Accredited employers in the capital now pay at least £14.80 an hour, and the rest of the UK £13.45, with a deadline of 1 May 2026 to apply the new figures (Living Wage Foundation). For a job that has long been undervalued, that is a meaningful jump.
What it means if you want cleaning work in London
Demand for reliable cleaners in London is strong, and pay is moving in your favour. Independent cleaners in the city typically charge £15 to £20 an hour, while agency roles sit a little higher at £22 to £26, though agencies keep a slice of that (MyBuilder).
Working directly with households changes the maths. If you find your own clients, you keep the full rate rather than handing a commission to a middle party. That is exactly why many cleaners now use community platforms to meet clients directly. On CQD New Gen you can create a profile and connect with people who need cleaning, and it is completely free right now with no commission taken from what you earn.
What it means if you are hiring a cleaner in London
If you are booking a cleaner, expect to pay around £18 to £25 an hour for regular domestic cleaning, more for a deep clean, and more again in central London and Canary Wharf (MyBuilder). Rates rise as wages rise, so budgeting a little extra for 2026 is sensible.
You can trim the cost by hiring directly instead of through an agency, since agency prices bundle in an overhead. Booking the same cleaner on a regular weekly slot also tends to earn a lower hourly rate than one-off cleans. Posting what you need and letting local cleaners reach out is the simplest route, and on CQD New Gen posting a cleaning job is free, always, with no fees to post and no commission.
New rules every household and cleaner should know
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is reshaping the sector. Since it became law in December 2025, cleaners gain protection from unfair dismissal from their first day, stronger sick pay rights, and, for those on zero-hours contracts, a right to guaranteed hours that reflect what they actually work (CleanManager). The collective redundancy protective award has also doubled to as much as 180 days' pay per worker (BICSc).
If you employ a cleaner directly as a household, it is worth understanding these duties. For most people booking a self-employed cleaner, the relationship is simpler, but clear expectations and fair pay still matter.
The sector is growing
None of this is happening in a shrinking market. The British Cleaning Council's 2026 research shows the cleaning, hygiene and waste industry has grown to nearly £72 billion, up from £67.7 billion two years earlier, and now employs about 1.51 million people, close to 5% of the UK workforce (TwinFM). More work, better protected, and better paid is a good direction for everyone in it.
Whether you are hiring help at home or building a cleaning income, connecting directly is the cleanest way to do it. Post a job or create a cleaner profile in minutes, free, with no commission.
FAQ
How much does the National Living Wage pay cleaners in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over, so any cleaner you employ must be paid at least that. Many London households pay well above it, closer to £18 to £25 an hour for domestic cleaning.
What is the London Living Wage for 2026?
The voluntary London Living Wage is £14.80 an hour for 2025 to 2026, set by the Living Wage Foundation, with the rest of the UK on £13.45. Accredited employers have until 1 May 2026 to apply the new rate.
How much should I pay a house cleaner in London?
Regular domestic cleaning in London runs about £18 to £25 an hour in 2026, with agencies at £22 to £26 and independent cleaners £15 to £20. Booking a regular weekly slot and hiring directly rather than through an agency usually lowers the cost.
Is it free to post a cleaning job on CQD New Gen?
Yes. Posting a cleaning job is free, always, with no fees to post and no commission taken. Cleaners can also create a profile for free and keep everything they earn.
How does the Employment Rights Act 2025 affect cleaners?
It gives cleaners day-one protection from unfair dismissal, stronger statutory sick pay, and, for zero-hours workers, a right to guaranteed hours. It became law in December 2025 and is being rolled out through 2026.