UK’s biggest car wash supports government action against rogue operations

Britain’s biggest car wash company IMO has today supported the new Labour government’s pledge to step up enforcement against illegal car washes.

This comes after the home secretary Yvette Cooper said Immigration Enforcement will “intensify their operations” over summer as officials target businesses suspected of employing illegal workers.

According to experts, thousands of hand car washes in the UK are fronts for organised crime, with Philip Dunne MP, chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, stating rogue operations have become so widespread that they are now the largest source of illegal employment in the UK*.

The concerning development has led industry insiders – both IMO and the Car Wash Association – to encourage motorists to be increasingly vigilant about where they’re getting their cars washed.

In response, Iain White-Duncan, Global Marketing Director at IMO, Britain’s largest chain of car washes, has spoken out in support of legitimate UK businesses and urged customers to be wary of where their money is going.

Mr White-Duncan highlighted minimal regulation as one of the reasons for the development, which can result in human rights abuses, tax evasion, and damage to the environment.

He said: “The rise of rogue car washes nationwide can have extreme implications on both customers and the people working within them. As fronts for organised crime, these illegal operations can result in the exploitation of workers, often operating in conditions well below the standard set by UK law.

“That’s why we’re today coming out in support of the government’s pledge to step up much-needed enforcement. We’ve been concerned about the issue for a number of years, and while this action has taken some time to come, we’re pleased that the issue is now being addressed.

“Many so-called employees earn below the minimum wage without any job security or sufficient protective wear for the job at hand. First and foremost, the exploitation of workers on this level has a significant effect on individuals. The knock-on effects thereafter are both considerable and widespread.

“There are environmental risks to be aware of, with minimal regulation often resulting in harmful substances being disposed of improperly, causing pollution and potential harm to public health.

“Elsewhere, many rogue operators evade taxes, meaning their contribution to local communities is reduced or entirely redundant. As a result, legitimate, law-abiding, and compliant businesses are unfairly undercut.

“That’s why we’re urging car owners to be increasingly vigilant about where they are getting their vehicles washed. Supporting legitimate businesses ensures that workers are treated fairly, the environment is protected, and communities are supported with tax contributions.”

Mr White-Duncan’s comments follow a recent statement from Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association, who said: “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.”