12 July 2022
Latest NHBF update – 12 July 2022
This week's update covers:
- Rent debt write-off – time is running out
- Top Apprenticeship employers
- The Health & Care Act 2022
- Scotland: Public Consultation on the Regulation of Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures: Scottish Government response to the Analysis Report findings
- Countdown to the Hair & Beauty industry Top 100 Influencers Index 2022
Rent debt write-off – time is running out
The legislation designed to help business owners write off commercial rent debt ends on 24 September 2022.
The Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2022 can write-off rent debt built up during the lockdowns by up to 100% and/or give time to pay.
Debts from the pandemic are still ringfenced, but after September, if you are not in arbitration, your landlord can file for your insolvency.
If you don't notify your landlord that you will use the legislation by 24 August, you will lose the right to have your rent debt arbitrated.
The Q&A for Personal Care - Commercial Rents (Coronavirus) Bill and Code of Practice can be found here.
Free for NHBF Members – download this guide for full details on the protected rent debt legislation.
Anyone who want to apply to use the arbitration scheme will need to ensure that they send their ‘notification of intention’ in good time and make their application to one of the seven approved arbitration bodies - a list of the bodies can be found here).
For further information please refer to the Act here and to the statutory guidance to arbitrators which can be found here.
If you are worried and need help with debts, the NHBF’s free commercial debt helpline is here for you. Speak to our experienced partners today.
Top Apprenticeship employers
The country's most outstanding Apprenticeship employers for 2022 have been recognised for their vital work in boosting career opportunities for more people.
The Government listed the top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers 2022 in the new national league table that recognises England's leading small & medium-sized apprenticeship employers for their commitment to employing apprentices. It also recognises their creation of new apprenticeships, the diversity of their new apprentices, and the progression of their apprentices onto further apprenticeships and employment. Among the list, Hairdressing is one of the largest employment contributors with Andrew Collinge and the Francesco Group featuring in the top 20. The new annual rankings have been developed by the Department for Education in partnership with High Fliers Research.
The Health & Care Act 2022
The new Health and Care Act 2022 gives the Government powers to introduce a licensing scheme for practitioners who operate in England for non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Work is now underway to decide what the licensing scheme will look like. This will then be introduced via secondary legislation. The timescale for this is yet to be outlined.
The reason for the legislation is to reduce the risk of harm associated with ineffectively performed non-surgical cosmetic procedures, also known as aesthetic procedures, to the public. Once in force, this legislation will make it an offence to perform particular procedures without a license.
Here is a quick Q&A to answer some of the questions you may have about what's to come:
Public Consultation on the Regulation of Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures: Scottish Government response to the Analysis Report findings
Between 17 January 2020 and 30 June 2020, the Scottish Government ran a public consultation on the further regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures (that pierce or penetrate the skin) and proposals to introduce a licensing scheme.
The Scottish Government has now published the responses to the consultation and the analysis report, which are available here.
The headline findings from the analysis report are as follows:
- 98% of respondents agreed that further regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures was needed. Most respondents felt that non-surgical cosmetic procedures should be conducted by trained, qualified and regulated healthcare professionals.
- 61% of respondents agreed that individuals who are not qualified healthcare professionals should be licensed. Most respondents who agreed with the proposal felt that the unregulated parts of the sector needed more regulation. Most respondents who disagreed with the proposal felt that more robust regulation than licensing was needed or that healthcare professionals should only perform the procedures.
Analysing the report, the Scottish Government will now consider legislation restricting who can administer dermal fillers to protect public safety. This will include further stakeholder engagement and consultation.
The Scottish Government's ultimate goal is to ensure that all non-surgical cosmetic procedures carried out in Scotland are delivered from hygienic premises by appropriately trained practitioners, applying recognised standards and using legitimate products.
It acknowledges that the UK Health and Care Act 2022 will introduce enabling powers to establish a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic providers in England. The Scottish Government will work with the other UK nations as they develop its proposals.
Countdown to the Hair & Beauty industry Top 100 Influencers Index 2022
Only 17 days left until entries close to this year's 'Hair & Beauty industry - Top 100 Influencers Index'. This is your opportunity to recognise those in the industry who influence, educate and innovate the sector through their social media channels.
You can nominate your favourite influencers at www.nhbf.co.uk/top-100-influencers.