To think that if the politicians haven't cancelled their cleaners, maybe I should un-cancel mine?

[cramboodle]

When the lockdown was announced I paused my cleaner, but have carried on paying her. She said she'd be happy to still come but that 8 of her 10 clients had cancelled. I'm not worried about her coming from our perspective, and I don't think it's against the rules as she would be going to work and could easily keep her distance from us, but as she travels by bus I thought it best to give her the opportunity to stay at home. Of course, she may have simply gone out and got another job by now (especially if the other clients aren't still paying her), but I hope not as she's been my cleaner for several years and I don't want to lose her.

But I was just doing some Googling and I found (on a cleaning company website) a clip of Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson exchanging warm words about cleaners at PM Question Time on 25th March because they (in JC's words) "keep our places hygienic and safe". It made me wonder whether they have cancelled their own domestic cleaners. Somehow I can't imagine even Jeremy Corbyn cleaning his own loo during the lockdown!

Have most of you mumsnetters cancelled your cleaners, or not?

UC if they want it at most

Our cleaner is currently cancelled by mutual consent as neither of us felt totally comfortable with it, although I agree with PP that it’s not technically illegal. I tried to pay her anyway but she refused to take it! As it stands I did pay her for the first week she didn’t come but she is insisting on keeping that as a credit for her next visit.

She doesn’t usually charge if we are on holiday but again that was what she wanted - she just texts me a bill every month covering the times she’s actually been. I’ve been flexible with her too if she couldn’t make it sometimes for whatever reason so I don't feel too bad about it.

@fascinated, my cleaner pays tax via self assessment as she is self employed. She has already had text from tax dept telling her she is able to claim 80% of average of last three years self assessment. It is only cleaners who work cash in hand or less than NIC threshold who cannot claim from government.

Really? She was applying for us. She is always trying not to earn too much in a week in case it affects her benefits, I think. I assumed she earned v little.

You aren't allowed anyone in your house. We have cancelled our cleaner.

Same as most of you: paying her not to clean. Like most aspects of lockdown, it’s a reminder to feel grateful. The DC have not had to dust and hoover their rooms before and I feel a bit embarrassed about that! But at least they now know what she does - and are very thorough to be fair.

I can't believe the amount of mumsnetters who are still paying their cleaners.
I was/am a self employed cleaner and not one of my clients (I've been with some 7 +years) have offered any payment. I know a few others who are getting nothing. I'm not sure if I'd want it anyway, it would feel wrong. I've now got different work so I'm probably, most definitely a few, not going back to them.

Cancelled and still paying in full.

I use a cleaning company and they have closed their doors for the duration.

Another cleaning company near us is still working and I keep thinking of getting a clean but am quite pleased to save the money!

Not paying as it’s a company - the actual cleaners are employees getting a salary.

I've cancelled our cleaner, but as we employ a company to clean I haven't carried on paying them

I'm still paying my nanny who also does a deep clean once a week when little one goes to nursery.... she can do the whole bloody house when lockdown is over as I just can't get it to sparkle like she can!!

I told her as long as I'm still getting paid then so will she.