14 January 2025
Your Voice Matters – Take the latest State of Industry Survey
For over three years, the NHBF has conducted comprehensive quarterly State of the Industry surveys, establishing a robust understanding of our sector's economic health. This latest survey builds on December's snap poll and delves deeper into how the Budget's key elements – wage rate rises, NICs, and business rates – are affecting your business and how you intend to respond.
Given the widespread concern across the sector, we are preparing a detailed analysis for government submission. Your participation is essential to strengthen our case, as your experiences and insights will directly inform our representation to policymakers.
To contribute, please complete our latest survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JZGCVRQ
The deadline for responses is Monday 20 January at 10am, and the survey takes around 10 minutes to complete.
All responses remain strictly confidential.
Together, we will continue to fight for the sector.
Thank you for your valuable time and input.
5.4 million yet to file their tax return
With less than a month to go, the countdown is on for 5.4 million customers who still need to complete and pay their Self-Assessment and avoid penalties, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) warns.
Thousands of taxpayers have already done so by completing their tax returns before the fizz was barely flat on New Year’s Day. HMRC can today reveal more than 24,800 people filed on 1 January. A further 38,000 had even squeezed theirs in before the bells on 31 December, with 310 filing between 23:00 and 23:59.
Filing your tax return and paying on time plays an important role in supporting public services and the government’s Plan for Change, which is delivering economic stability and investment across the UK. Anyone who is yet to file their tax return can do so online, via GOV.UK.
Anyone required to file a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year who misses the 31 January 2025 deadline could face an initial late filing penalty of £100.
Regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Scotland
The Scottish Government has published a consultation on proposals to regulate the sector in Scotland - https://consult.gov.scot/healthcare-quality-and-improvement/regulation-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures/. The consultation was published on 20 December and closes on 14 February.
The Scottish Government is seeking to further regulate non-surgical cosmetic procedures (NSCPs). They are seeking a model of regulation which protects the public while being proportionate and providing a framework where potential clients can undergo procedures with confidence, and responsible, safe providers can continue offering them.
Section 2 of the background paper provides general information about the sector, including the issues they hope to resolve through further regulation. Before answering the questions in this consultation, you may wish to consult the background paper. Section 3 of the background paper provides details on a proposed approach to regulation.
The NHBF will be responding to the consultation in time for the deadline so if you have any comments, concerns or input that you would like to feed in on the issues raised by the consultation, please get in touch with rosina.robson@nhbf.co.uk.
Have your say - Influence HMRC guidance on rent a chair
Some NHBF members have already taken part in research to shape the HMRC’s rent a chair guidance for businesses and the self-employed. Would you like to input too?
What’s it about? HMRC are looking for around 20 individuals to test video content on rent a chair. They will send you a link to a short (under 2 minutes) video including a short survey to complete afterwards with your feedback.
What’s the time commitment? It’s flexible, around 15-20 minutes, i.e. the time to look at the video and give your comments. You can complete the exercise in your own time, ie. in the evenings, at a time that suits you. You will also be entered into a prize draw, where you will have the chance to win a £200 Love2shop voucher.
Please contact rosina.robson@nhbf.co.uk to get involved.
Campaigning for you – letter from the Secretary of State for Business & Trade
NHBF wrote to Jonathan Reynolds, the Secretary of State for Business & Trade in November, to raise your concerns about the impact of the Autumn Budget and push for dedicated support in particular for businesses taking on apprentices.
The letter ‘recognises the immense economic and social value’ that the hair and beauty sector plays.
The Government didn’t commit to further support for employers taking on apprentices at the moment but pointed to:
More than doubling the Employment Allowance to £10,500 means that more than half of businesses with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change next year. Businesses will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under 21s and under 25 apprentices where eligible.
The changes to wage rates reflect the fact that the government is committed to delivering a ‘genuine living wage’, ‘striking a balance between ensuring fairness for workers and supporting business growth’.
The government is creating a fairer business rates system and intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail including personal care businesses of rateable values less than £500,000.
We will continue to fight for you and lobby the government in your best interests, as well as influence Skills England and the government’s revised growth and skills offer and business rates reform.