Press Releases

24 Results Found

CWA SUPPORTS NEW FAIR WORK AGENCY TO COMBAT MODERN SLAVERY IN NON-COMPLIANT HAND CAR WASHES

17/10/2024

The Car Wash Association (CWA) strongly supports for the government’s proposal to establish a Fair Work Agency aimed at enforcing workers' rights and addressing illegal employment practices. This new agency, as part of the Employment Rights Bill, will consolidate various enforcement bodies under one umbrella, empowering them to take decisive action in high-risk sectors like non-compliant hand car washes.

CAR WASH ASSOCIATION APPLAUDS GOVERNMENT’S ACTION ON ILLEGAL WORKERS

22/07/2024

“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.” said Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association (CWA).

HAND CAR WASHES A HOTBED FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, SAYS CWA

13/06/2024

"Non-compliant hand car washes, that vastly outnumber legally operated sites, are blatantly disregarding employment laws, with minimal enforcement from the relevant authorities. When employment laws are ignored, people suffer. These hand car washes, many of which only accept payment in cash, are often a hotbed of modern slavery and other illegal activities, such as money laundering and tax evasion. The continued lack of action on this issue empowers these criminals and endangers lives." said Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association (CWA) in response to recent Home Office figures showing that hand car washes racked up almost £2.5m in civil penalties last year.

CWA COMMENTS ON THAMES WATER’S ONGOING CHALLENGES

22/04/2024

"As the Thames Water saga drags on, the company is ignoring its responsibility to keep our environment clean,” said Gordon Balmer Executive Director of the Car Wash Association, commenting on the latest Thames Water’s latest issues.

CAR WASH ASSOCIATION COMMENTS ON RIGHT TO WORK OFFENCES

26/02/2024

Data from the Illegal Immigration Unit at the Home Office showed that 78 hand car washes across the UK had been fined a total of nearly £1.5 million for ‘right to work’ offences in the first nine months of 2023. Brian Madderson, Chairman of the Car Wash Association (CWA), said: “It is disappointing that even in the face of blatant violations of the law, the Government is still unwilling to crack down on illegal hand car wash operators."

LATEST SAFE CAR WASH APP REPORT RAISES CONCERN FOR CWA

02/08/2023

Commenting on the newly released data from The Clewer Initiative's Safe Car Wash App, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association (CWA) said: “I am deeply concerned to see the report highlighting the widespread exploitation taking place in hand car wash businesses, especially as a third of all reports submitted through the app raised significant concerns regarding modern slavery and exploitation. The shocking 127% increase in the number of high-scoring reports referred to the Modern Slavery Helpline (MSH) compared to the previous 6 months is alarming.

CWA COMMENTS ON BBC MODERN SLAVERY INVESTIGATION

27/07/2023

"It is very positive to see the BBC taking on the crucial task of exposing modern slavery and creating awareness about this pressing issue. We are pleased that the material we provided contributed to their in-depth research. We remain available to provide guidance and insights on this urgent matter that we have been tirelessly working to bring to public attention,” said Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association (CWA)

CWA WELCOMES GOVERNMENT’S NEW ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

13/07/2023

The Car Wash Association (CWA) welcomes the Government’s recent announcement of new legislation to tackle environment offences under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

CAR WASH ASSOCIATION COMMENTS ON THAMES WATER’S FINANCIAL ISSUES

29/06/2023

Commenting on the unfolding situation at Thames Water, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association (CWA), said: “It is concerning to see that one of the UK’s largest water companies is experiencing financial difficulties on this scale. This, in conjunction with hosepipe bans being announced by other water companies, is a stark reminder of the importance of conserving water.

CWA EXPRESSES DISAPOINTMENT WITH FAILURE TO ACT OVER MODERN SLAVERY

23/05/2023

Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association, said: "It is astonishing that non-compliant hand car washes remain unregulated and operating illegally in plain sight in 2023."