31 January 2023
Mandatory licensing of special procedures in Wales
Wales is set to become the first country in the UK to enact a law requiring all businesses that offer treatments and services such as tattoos, body piercing, semi-permanent makeup, acupuncture, and electrolysis, to obtain a national licence.
The scheme would establish a central public register for certified practitioners and authorised businesses to prevent infections and eradicate improper working practices.
A 12-week consultation, Mandatory licensing of special procedures in Wales | GOV.WALES, has been launched to seek the views of all stakeholders, including practitioners, local authorities and the public.
The NHBF will respond to the consultation by the deadline 14 April. If Members have any views or issues to feed in, please contact Caroline Caroline.Larissey@nhbf.co.uk or Rosina Rosina.Robson@nhbf.co.uk.
Deposit Return Scheme by 2025
Wales will introduce a Deposit Return Scheme by 2025, Climate Change Minister Julie James confirmed last week.
A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is a system where consumers are charged a deposit up-front when they buy a drink in a container that is "in scope" of the scheme. The deposit can be redeemed when the empty container is returned to a designated return point.
The materials captured in the deposit return scheme in Wales will be drinks containers made from polyethene terephthalate (PET) plastic, steel, glass, and aluminium.
Help to Grow: Digital scheme to end
The Help to Grow: Digital scheme will close to applications on 2 February 2023. The UK Government has decided to close the scheme as take-up was lower than expected.
Rail strike action – this week
Businesses are reminded to take precautions as the RMT and ASLEF unions have announced that rail strikes will again occur on 1 and 3 February.