11 October 2022
Latest NHBF update – 11 October 2022
This week's update covers the following:
- NHBF quarterly survey – a hair & beauty survival story 2020-2022
- PM praises hardworking hair and beauty businesses
- Proposed Restriction on Tattoo Inks and Permanent Make-up (PMU)
- Guidance for businesses on variable/flexible energy contracts
- DWP Scotland Retail Day
- Testing of Government Information and Advice Service
NHBF quarterly survey – a hair & beauty survival story 2020-2022
The NHBF has published a new report summarising the trends and findings emerging from the past two years of its quarterly State of the Industry surveys. The survey previously ran annually, but moved to quarterly from August 2020 so as to track the sector's recovery after the first Covid lockdown. The surveys of the past two years show how businesses experienced the rollercoaster of over 240 days of lockdown closure in 2020 and 2021, with continuing restrictions into 2022 across the nations and regions of the UK. After an initial recovery in September 2021, the scare of the Omicron virus had a negative impact over the vital Christmas period, which means many salons missed out on a traditional 'boom' time. However, our July 2022 survey demonstrated that the future was looking brighter, with most salons, at last, returning to similar levels of business activity and confidence to those of September 2021.
The full two-year report, summary infographic and video are available here.
You can read the full report here.
PM praises hardworking hair and beauty businesses
In her speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, PM Liz Truss praised hardworking hair and beauty businesses up and down the country.
Responding to the Liz Truss leader's speech at the Conservative Party Conference, Richard Lambert, Chief Executive, said:
'The NHBF is pleased that hardworking hair and beauty businesses rightfully got a mention in the Prime Minister's speech today. Contributing £5.5 billion per year to the UK economy, they are the backbone of many high streets and communities across the UK, led by female entrepreneurship and employing thousands of young people.
The aspiration for growth is welcome, including recent announcements reversing rises to NICs (National Insurance Contributions) and corporation tax. Further support beyond the Energy Price Guarantee will be needed through the winter and beyond to ensure that the hair & beauty sector can continue to make a positive and dynamic contribution'.
Proposed Restriction on Tattoo Inks and Permanent Make-up (PMU)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as the Agency for UK REACH, is proposing to restrict the use of certain substances in tattoo inks and permanent makeup. The proposed restriction is similar to the restriction that the European Union (EU) introduced on hazardous substances in tattoo inks. The EU regulation can be accessed here, and further information about the work carried out by the EU on this topic can be found here.
The HSE would like to invite you to complete a public consultation here.
Guidance for businesses on variable/flexible energy contracts
The Government have confirmed the Energy Bill Relief Scheme to help businesses tackle the rise in energy costs from 01 October 2022. However, those not on Fixed Contracts are unlikely to receive the maximum benefit of the scheme.
If your business is on a variable/flexible contract, the discount will reflect the difference between the Government supported price and the relevant wholesale price but be subject to a 'maximum discount' of £345/MWh for electricity and £91/MWh for gas.
The Government expects wholesale costs for this winter to be around £600 per MWh for electricity or £180 per MWh for gas.
If you are on this type of contract, you can talk to your supplier about moving to a fixed contract if you don't want to be exposed to this price variation.
Direct Business Solutions specialise in sourcing Fixed Term Energy Contracts for SME businesses and can assist NHBF Members in receiving the maximum benefit. See the Member benefits section on NHBF.co.uk for further details.
DWP Scotland Retail Day
DWP in Scotland is hosting a Retail Day on their Twitter accounts on Wednesday, 12 October, between 10am and 3pm to support the sector.
If your hair & beauty salon or barbershop would like your vacancies promoted, please get in touch with them either by direct messaging @DWPScotPartners or by emailing scotland.socialmedia@dwp.gov.uk.
Testing of Government Information and Advice Service
The Government is building and testing a new online service providing advice and guidance to employers on managing health and disability in the workplace.
We are supporting the development of this service through testing.
By taking part, you'll receive free information on disability and health-related employment issues. We would encourage you to provide feedback; it will make a real difference in developing the new service.
Go to the test site Support with Employee Health and Disability to find out more and make your voice heard.