SSP changes in April 2026 and what this will mean for the cleaning industry
Wed Feb 04 2026
SSP
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is changing in April 2026—and for the domestic cleaning industry, the knock-on effects could be huge.
In this episode of Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner, Louise and Diane break down what’s changing (including SSP being payable from day one and the removal of the Lower Earnings Limit) and why these reforms disproportionately hit micro cleaning businesses built on part-time, school-hours work.
You’ll hear the real numbers behind the new SSP day rates—why part-time teams could cost employers more per day than five-day workers—and how that collides with thin margins, high absence rates, and the reality that missed cleaning hours can’t simply be “caught up” later.
They also explore the uncomfortable consequences many owners may be forced into: tighter contracts, stricter absence management, higher prices for customers, and a potential industry shift away from employed roles and back toward self-employed or agency models—undoing years of progress toward a more professional, compliant sector.
Finally, Louise and Diane share what DCBN is doing to help members prepare (including legal guidance and updated resources) and why the industry needs to act together—because this isn’t just a policy change; it’s a threat to how domestic cleaning businesses operate.
In this episode
What’s changing with SSP in April 2026
The new SSP day-rate maths (and why part-time work is penalised)
Why domestic cleaning is uniquely exposed
What this means for pricing, staffing, and sustainability
The likely shift in employment models—and what that means for worker rights
How DCBN is supporting members, and how you can support the wider push
If you’re a cleaning business owner, employed cleaner, or self-employed cleaner, your support matters. Keep an eye on the show notes for next steps—petitions, actions, and resources—and please get involved when we ask. The future of the industry depends on it.
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SSP Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is changing in April 2026—and for the domestic cleaning industry, the knock-on effects could be huge. In this episode of Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner, Louise and Diane break down what’s changing (including SSP being payable from day one and the removal of the Lower Earnings Limit) and why these reforms disproportionately hit micro cleaning businesses built on part-time, school-hours work. You’ll hear the real numbers behind the new SSP day rates—why part-time teams could cost employers more per day than five-day workers—and how that collides with thin margins, high absence rates, and the reality that missed cleaning hours can’t simply be “caught up” later. They also explore the uncomfortable consequences many owners may be forced into: tighter contracts, stricter absence management, higher prices for customers, and a potential industry shift away from employed roles and back toward self-employed or agency models—undoing years of progress toward a more professional, compliant sector. Finally, Louise and Diane share what DCBN is doing to help members prepare (including legal guidance and updated resources) and why the industry needs to act together—because this isn’t just a policy change; it’s a threat to how domestic cleaning businesses operate. In this episode What’s changing with SSP in April 2026 The new SSP day-rate maths (and why part-time work is penalised) Why domestic cleaning is uniquely exposed What this means for pricing, staffing, and sustainability The likely shift in employment models—and what that means for worker rights How DCBN is supporting members, and how you can support the wider push If you’re a cleaning business owner, employed cleaner, or self-employed cleaner, your support matters. Keep an eye on the show notes for next steps—petitions, actions, and resources—and please get involved when we ask. The future of the industry depends on it.