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Owen Jones’ cleaner confession

Is it okay to have a cleaner during the coronavirus lockdown? It’s a simple question but one that has led to fiery exchanges in recent weeks. A row kicked off last week when Guardian columnist Owen Jones said people who aren’t forking out for their cleaners ‘shockingly selfish human being(s)’. ‘If someone can afford a cleaner, they should be paying them to stay at home and doing their own cleaning – they’ve certainly got the time to do it,’ he wrote.

It led to many praising Jones for taking a bold stand – such as this HuffPo opinion piece on the moral problems with employing a cleaner:

CleanerHuffPo.png

On the Jeremy Vine show today, Jones was taken to task by fellow journalist Angela Epstein who pointed out that many of those who employ cleaners are also facing financial difficulties themselves.

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Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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