Beauty associations call on new prime minister for industry support
The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) and British Beauty Council have called on new Prime Minister Liz Truss to introduce measures to support the beauty and spa industry.
Following the confirmation on September 8 of a household (domestic) energy bill cap of £2,500 a year from October 2022 and a six-month business support package, the NHBF has called for clarification on what small businesses will receive and requested the introduction of a small business energy price cap with grant support.
NHBF chief ecxecutive Richard Lambert said: “We’re pleased that the government has responded to our call for emergency energy support for hair and beauty businesses over the next six months. Businesses now urgently need clarity on the details of the scheme in order to help them to plan for the coming months.
For the majority of hair & beauty businesses, energy is one of the two biggest overheads, so we will be pressing the government to consider hair & beauty as one of the “vulnerable industries” that will be in most need of support after the initial six month period."
This was echoed by the British Beauty Council, with Victoria Brownlie, chief policy officer, saying, "We urge our new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, to give equal priority to business support on energy costs, and not just focus on domestic households. If we don’t support our salons and high-street businesses, many households will not have the jobs to pay bills at all.”
The NHBF also requested a series of other actions to give immediate support to beauty businesses, including the reintroduction of 100% business rates relief, targeted apprenticeship incentives for small and micro businesses, restraint on increases to National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, and a fairer tax system with a crackdown on tax-evading businesses.
Richard Lambert, NHBF chief executive, said, “The sector is in the midst of the cost-of-doing-business crisis, with energy bills rising at an exponential rate, supply price inflation at levels not seen for a generation, increases to staff costs and a skills crisis that is putting the future health of the sector at risk.
“The sector has ridden the rollercoaster business environment over the last two years and survived, due to its own steely resilience and the vital support provided by governments across the UK. With continued support from the UK Government, we are confident that the personal care sector will continue to play a crucial role in the UK’s economic recovery, thriving high streets and community wellbeing.”