Goldsmiths University is "seriously considering" bringing cleaners in-house, after a staff and student-led campaign pushed for the cleaners to become university staff.

Cleaning services at the university are outsourced to ISS, a Danish "facility services provider," but students and staff called for cleaners to be brought in-house after the company changed the cleaners' hours on Monday.

A restructure saw shifts change to one new evening shift from 7.30pm to 11.30pm, from two shifts which ran from either 11pm to 5am or 5.30am to 8.30am.

Testimonies collected from cleaners by student and staff campaign group Justice for Cleaners highlighted how the shortened hours would impact on pay, with some losing more than £600 a month, and how late shifts would impact on personal safety and childcare commitments.

A Justice for Cleaners spokesperson said they wanted "concrete confirmation" cleaners would be brought in-house.

"Whilst it is positive to hear that the well-being of staff is on the agenda as Goldsmiths 'seriously considers' the in-housing process, we expect transparency, accountability and direct worker consultation throughout this process to ensure their well-being truly is prioritised," they said.

A Goldsmiths spokesperson said the university would be comparing the costs for cleaning options, including in-sourcing, with the contract with ISS ending on October 31.

“We are seriously considering in-sourcing as an option as we decide whether to award a new cleaning contract," they said.

“ISS cleaning staff and their recognised union were made aware of the proposed changes to shift patterns in April this year, and a formal consultation between the various parties has been taking place since then.

“We acknowledge the concern some Goldsmiths staff and students have expressed about the terms and conditions of cleaning staff and we have made clear our proposals to align them with Goldsmiths' own terms."

An ISS spokesperson said: "We are aware that independent protests have been staged by members of various trade unions to challenge changes to ISS employee shifts at Goldsmiths, University of London.

"The changes to working shifts aim to optimize the housekeeping service we provide to the university and its guests. Ahead of the implementation of new shifts, we have been in dialogue with Goldsmiths, our employees and Unison, the recognised union at the university."