21 January 2025

Final Call – 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.

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 Today at 5pm, 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.

 

Tax Payment Deadlines Approaches

As the tax season approaches, it's important to stay informed about payment deadlines and options for your Self-Assessment tax bill. Here’s an overview to help you navigate the process smoothly.

Key Deadlines:

31 January: This is the deadline for settling any tax owed from the previous tax year (balancing payment) and your first payment on account.

31 July: This date marks the deadline for your second payment on account.

You have several convenient ways to settle your tax bill. Payments can be made in full or in instalments. Here are some methods to consider:

You can pay your bill directly through your online bank account, via online or telephone banking (Faster Payments), or by using a debit or credit card online.

Set up weekly or monthly payments towards your total bill, or make one-off payments.

If you’ve arranged a Direct Debit with HMRC previously, this can be a quick payment method.

It's critical to pay HMRC by the deadline to avoid interest charges and potential penalties.

For additional assistance or if you are struggling to make your payment, support options are available.

 

LPC Regional Visits

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) is conducting regional visits in 2025 to gather first-hand evidence on the impact of the National Minimum Wage from individuals and employers. As an independent body that advises the Government, the LPC seeks to understand local economic conditions, employment outlook, and the effects of rising minimum wage on both employers and workers.

They invite participants to share their insights on the local economy, wage trends, and the future of the minimum wage. The evidence collected will inform the LPC's recommendations for minimum wage rates, with all information treated confidentially and anonymised where necessary.

Last year, the National Hair & Beauty Federation contributed to the LPC's report, advocating for any wage increases to happen gradually and be coupled with support for businesses hiring apprentices. For more information and to get involved in the regional visits please, contact rosina.robson@nhbf.co.uk

The list of locations for the Low Pay Commission’s regional visits programme in 2025.

 

Parents to receive day one right to neonatal care leave and pay

Thousands of working families with babies in neonatal care will be entitled to additional time off as a day one right, the government has confirmed.

Currently, many working families across the UK are having to return to work while their babies are sick in hospital, and these measures aim to address some of the difficulties that thousands of parents face when their baby is in neonatal care.  

Neonatal Care Leave will apply to parents of babies who are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who have a continuous stay in hospital of 7 full days or longer. These measures will allow eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave (and, if eligible, pay) on top of any other leave they may be entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave. 

The government has laid regulations to implement the change, which subject to Parliamentary approval, will take effect from 6 April 2025 and follows the passing of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act in 2023. 

 

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, i.e. 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 Love2shop vouchers.

Please contact rosina.robson@nhbf.co.uk to get involved.