20 June 2023
Government consultation on energy
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) seeks input from small business owners to gather insights to develop a specialised energy advice service tailored to SMEs. DESNZ aims to better understand energy usage patterns among small businesses and the challenges they face due to recent increases in energy costs. To achieve this, consultations are scheduled to take place from 12 to 23 June, with each session lasting for approximately 60 minutes. As a token of appreciation for their valuable input, participants will receive a £50 voucher. If you are a small business owner interested in contributing to this important initiative, please email ee-engagement@beis.gov.uk.
Encouraging growth in UK GDP
The latest data released by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday revealed that the UK economy experienced a return to growth in April. This positive development was primarily attributed to the recovery of consumer spending and fewer working days lost to strikes. However, the outlook remains uncertain due to the potential impact of higher interest rates.
Between March and April, gross domestic product expanded by 0.2 per cent, reversing a portion of the previous month's contraction. This growth aligned with analysts' expectations and was predominantly driven by a 0.3 per cent expansion in the services sector.
Working in the heat
In light of the recent heatwave, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is actively encouraging small employers to prioritise their workers' comfort by maintaining suitable workplace temperatures. To assist in this effort, the HSE has established a temperature hub that offers practical guidance on effectively managing risks associated with working in hot conditions. This comprehensive resource covers topics such as regulating workplace temperature and addressing heat stress. By accessing the HSE's temperature hub, small employers can access valuable information to ensure their employees' well-being and safety during high temperatures.
Campaigning for you – recognition in Parliament
Robert Halfon, the Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, referred to the hair & beauty sector in Parliament last week. He referred to the positive example of the uplift in 'funding for Level 2 Hair Professional standard, which saw a substantial increase from £7,000 to £11,000'.
This increase in the funding band came after the Hair Professional Apprenticeship Steering (Trailblazer Employers) Group, co-ordinated by NHBF director of quality & standards Caroline Larissey, provided significant evidence and gave their time to ensure the revised standard and funding band reflect the breadth of learning and professionalism within our industries.