31 May 2022

This week's update covers:

  • NHBF partners with the Green Salon Collective 
  • Member roadshow: Your brighter future
  • Scotland: New measures to support smaller businesses
  • Low Pay Commission regional visits
  • Wales: Removal of final COVID-19 restrictions
  • National Cyber-Security Centre (NCSC) Small Organisations Digital Lofts
  • Government announces cost of living support package


NHBF partners with the Green Salon Collective

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) announces a collaboration with the Green Salon Collective (GSC) to promote and educate salon owner on issues such as recycling, energy efficiency/saving, and greening salons and barbershops. Read full story here.


Member Roadshow: Your Brighter Future

The NHBF is running the first of a series of free Member roadshows in June named 'Your Brighter Future', the first of these are taking place in Manchester and Birmingham. Come along and share your experiences with local businesses and industry leaders from our sector. Find out more and book your space now.


Scotland: New measures to support smaller businesses

Legislation to support smaller businesses to raise finance, helping them maintain income and address rising business costs has been published.
The Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Bill will give new opportunities to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and other businesses, allowing them to raise finance by securing funds against largely untapped assets like vehicles, plant and machinery or whisky stores.  Find out more here.


Low Pay Commission regional visits

To find out more about how the minimum wage has affected businesses, the Low Pay Commission will be visiting regions across the UK. If any Members are interested in speaking to the commissioners at any of the following locations, please get in touch with the NHBF enquiries team at enquiries@nhbf.co.uk

15-16 June Conwy and Llandudno
6-7 July Hastings and Rother
3-4 August Derry

Wales: Removal of final COVID-19 restrictions

The Welsh Government has decided that the last remaining legal restriction, which requires face coverings to be worn in indoor public areas of health and social care settings, will end on 30 May. The number of Covid-19-related patients in hospital has also fallen over the last three weeks to less than 700 and is now at its lowest level since 28 December 2022. Find out more here.


National Cyber-Security Centre (NCSC) Small Organisations Digital Lofts

Everyone can do something to improve their cyber security, you don't have to be from an IT or technical background. The NCSC can help you understand what actions you can do to improve your own and your organisations cyber security. The NCSC is running a number of one-hour webinars during June specifically aimed at small Organisations, although anyone is welcome to join.
You can register for each of the events listed below by clicking on the titles.

11.30 on Monday13th June - Cyber Aware for Sole Traders and Micro-Businesses
Learn how to protect yourself or your small organisation online including passwords and 2-Step Verification (2SV).

11.30 on Thursday 16th June - Cyber Security for Small Organisations
How to improve your cyber security; affordable, practical advice for businesses.

1pm Wednesday 22nd June - Cyber Essentials
Cyber Essentials helps you to guard against the most common cyber threats and demonstrate your commitment to cyber security.


Government announces cost of living support package

Last week, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced a new £15 billion package of government support to help with the rising cost of living.
This included a new, one-off £650 payment to more than 8 million low-income households on Universal Credit, Tax Credits and legacy benefits to be made in two tranches starting in the summer, with separate one-off payments of £300 to pensioner households and £150 to individuals receiving disability benefits – groups who are most vulnerable to rising prices.
The Chancellor also announced a new temporary Energy Profits Levy on oil and gas firms which will raise around £5 billion over the next year to help with the cost of living, alongside a new investment allowance to encourage firms to invest in oil and gas extraction in the UK.
Read more about the support measures package here.