LOBBYING

British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has joined a major cross-sector coalition of professional and membership bodies calling on the government to work more closely with accredited organisations to boost skills, productivity and public confidence. 

A united voice from professional bodies 

In a joint letter to the Minister for Skills, Jaqui Smith MP, signed by chief executives from organisations representing more than one million professionals, the coalition sets out how professional bodies can play a stronger role in supporting economic growth, reforming public services and developing future skills. 

BPCA is part of the group making the case that professional standards, accredited training, and frontline expertise should be better embedded in policymaking and delivery. 

What this means for pest management 

For pest management, this includes ensuring public health protection, environmental responsibility and high professional standards remain central to regulation and workforce development. 

Rosina Robson, Chief Executive of BPCA, said: 

“Professional pest management protects public health, supports food security and plays a vital role in environmental protection. 

“Working more closely with government allows organisations like BPCA to share real-world insight from the frontline and help shape policy that is practical, proportionate and grounded in professional standards.” 

A broad cross-sector coalition 

The coalition includes a wide range of chartered institutes, trade bodies and professional organisations, including the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the Institute of Directors, the Chartered Institute of Housing, and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, among others. 

Clear asks of government 

The letter calls for more structured engagement between government and professional bodies, closer collaboration on skills programmes, and greater recognition of professional accreditation in public sector reform and industrial strategies. 

The group argues that professional bodies are uniquely placed to connect government, employers and individual professionals, providing practical expertise at a time of economic and regulatory change. 

The letter

The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister for Skills
Department for Education
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3BT

January 7, 2026

Dear Secretary of State,

We, the undersigned, represent a coalition of leading professional and membership bodies across key sectors of the UK economy. Together, we set the standards, accredit professionals, and support employers and members in building the workforce capabilities that underpin the UK’s
economic and social prosperity.

Our combined membership exceeds one million individually named members and reaches beyond them into the companies that we also include in our memberships. We represent a wide cross sector of our economy and society.

We believe that professional bodies can do more to support Government priorities, by:

• Boosting productivity: Embedding professional standards and accredited skills across the workforce ensures individuals and organisations are equipped to perform at their best.
• Reforming public services: Professionalising the public sector workforce - particularly in leadership, project delivery, and health and safety- will improve outcomes and value for money.
• Driving industrial growth and future skills: From green technology to advanced manufacturing, professional bodies are already delivering workforce solutions for priority sectors. We ensure a pipeline of capable, accredited professionals aligned with the UK’s industrial strategy.

We believe there is a clear opportunity to deepen collaboration between professional bodies and Government.

Our proposals:

• Strategic engagement: Establish a structured mechanism for regular dialogue - such as a cross-sector working group - to align our work with Government policy priorities and delivery. This would enable better-informed decision-making and reduce policy and delivery risks through direct access to frontline professional insight.
• Skills collaboration: Partner on skills programmes that strengthen the UK workforce, support innovation, and enhance international competitiveness.
• Formal recognition: Embed professional accreditation in public sector workforce reform and industrial strategies to improve delivery and secure long-term skills investment.

At a time when the Government is focused on delivering economic growth, reforming public services, and improving productivity, we offer a ready-made part of the solution: leveraging the expertise and reach of professional bodies to drive workforce excellence, equip people with crosscutting and specialist skills, and support sector-specific transformation.

Professional bodies are uniquely positioned at the interface of employers, education and training providers, and individual professionals. Every day, we connect these systems - helping businesses navigate complex labour market needs, advising on skills policy, and ensuring that training andqualifications meet evolving workplace demands.

This means we not only set standards but ensure those standards are grounded in what’s needed in practice.

Our members - highly trained and skilled professionals - work at the heart of the UK economy, as well as in global markets. They are delivering complex infrastructure projects, innovating in R&D, supporting safe and healthy workplaces, shaping green growth, and transforming public services.

Many do so in volatile economic and political conditions, giving them a real-time understanding of the pressures facing UK business and society.

At their best, professional bodies are a strategic partner to Government: shaping and upholding professional standards, improving productivity through accredited skills, and building trust in sectors critical to growth and public confidence.

Next steps

We would welcome a meeting with you and senior officials to explore how we can formalise a more strategic working relationship between Government and professional bodies.

Integrating our coalition into the regular rhythm of policy development and decision making will ensure that the UK workforce remains globally competitive and that growth is underpinned by high standards of professionalism.

We look forward to your response and to working together to build a stronger, more productive UK economy.

Yours sincerely,

Memcom, the membership organisation for professional bodies and associations

Source: Online