2 May 2023

King Charles III Coronation holiday entitlement

As another public holiday approaches, salon and barbershop owners may be wondering whether their employees are entitled to the day off. Unfortunately, there is no simple yes or no answer. It will depend on the specific wording of the employee's contract.

Although there is no statutory right to time off for bank or public holidays, employers may include these days as part of their employees' annual leave entitlement. Therefore, it will be up to the individual contract to determine whether employees are entitled to time off on 8 May.

Please read our blog for further details.

 

Coronation toolkit for your business

During this time of celebration, the Department for Business and Trade has created a visual toolkit for partners, businesses, trade organisations, and the public sector to show the country speaking with one voice of unity.

Please feel free to display the Coronation graphics on websites, social media profiles, digital screens, and shop windows, wherever possible, between now and the bank holiday weekend (6-8 May).

Please send this out far and wide to any contacts you think appropriate.

What’s in the toolkit?

As well as the communications toolkit you might have received, this toolkit includes art working files, adverts, posters and digital screens, animations, social assets and even flags.

Please find the link to all assets in the link below.

https://we.tl/t-5Gf9IIAN9y

For more information, please contact branding@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

 

The British Business Awards 2023

SmallBusiness.co.uk is delighted to announce that nominations are open for the 2023 British Business Awards!   

Celebrating its sixth year, these prestigious awards recognise, honour, and celebrate the outstanding and innovative achievements of small and medium-sized British businesses across all industries. 

Following the pandemic, British small businesses have faced new and unprecedented challenges. That's why this year's awards are all about celebrating these businesses' resilience, creativity, and success. 

Take advantage of this opportunity to be recognised and celebrated for your hard work and achievements.  

The closing date to apply is 26 May 2023.

Enter here. 

 

Education Committee report on the future of post-16 qualifications 

The House of Commons Education Committee's report on the future of post-16 qualifications was published on Friday, 28 April.

The main themes of the report cover the Government's major reforms of the further education sector since 2019, including the rollout of T Levels (a technical alternative to A-Levels), the withdrawal of funding from Applied General Qualifications, the role of apprenticeships and proposals for requiring 16-to-18-year-olds to study maths.

Here are some of the recommendations found in the report that will help the hair and beautysector: 

  • The Department for Education must set an ambitious target for at least three-quarters of young people to be qualified to level 3 by 2030.
  • On T Levels, the Department for Education (DfE) must work with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) to clearly map and publish progression opportunities for T Level students.
  • The Department must improve recognition of T Levels among students, parents and employers through a T Level awareness campaign that raises the profile of the new qualification at both a national and local level.
  • The Department must set out how it will address the long-term decline in apprenticeship starts among young people and ensure apprenticeships are the gold-standard 'earn and learn' option for school and college leavers. The Department must commission an independent review to examine possible mechanisms to achieve this, for example, considering how levy reform could effectively incentivise an increase in apprenticeship starts among younger and lower-skilled learners.
  • Subject to positive evaluation, the Department must expand the flexi-job apprenticeship scheme with an ambition to support 5,000 apprentices on the scheme by 2025. The Department must maintain a particular focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to share apprentices. This will help ease pressure on SMEs by removing the requirement for a full 12-month training commitment. The Department must continue to work closely with trade unions, employers and other stakeholders to ensure fair pay and just terms and conditions for apprenticeships.

 

NHBF Quarterly survey – our survey is now closed

Thank you to everyone that participated in our latest State of the Industry survey. Your views help us support the sector and ensure your voice is heard across the highest offices in government and business. 

The NHBF believes that understanding business owners' needs, wants, and current issues can help us understand what your business requires, and in turn, help us improve our existing membership offerings. Having this knowledge will ensure we provide the right resources to make your business successful and profitable.

Read our blog on the Importance of taking part in our surveys. 

 

Coronation Bank Holiday office hours

As the country prepares for the King's Coronation, please remember that our office on will be closed on Monday, 8 May and we will re-open on Tuesday, 9 May. 

Members can still contact the employment law helpline for urgent enquiries.