29 April 2025
NHBF Top 100 Influencer 2025 – nominations now closed!
The nominations for this year’s NHBF Top 100 Influencer are now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination, and congratulations to all the nominees! The NHBF will announce the Top 50 Hair Influencers and the Top 50 Influencers throughout May and June on our social media channels. The final top 20 Beauty influencers will be revealed at the Tone of Beauty Exhibition in London on June 30th, and the Top 20 Hair Influencer will be announced at Haircon in Manchester on June 22nd.
Businesses protected against debanking
Small business owners will be better protected against their bank accounts being closed, as the government goes further and faster to drive growth and deliver security for working people through the Plan for Change.
Banks and other payment service providers will be required to give customers at least 90 days' notice before closing their account or terminating a payment service – an increase from the two months currently required – under new rules expected to come into force for relevant new contracts from April 2026.
Banks will also need to provide a clear explanation to customers in writing, so people can challenge decisions, such as through the Financial Ombudsman Service.
The new rules will give customers more time to challenge decisions they disagree with and find a new bank if their account is closed. This will support small businesses which have complained about their account being closed without reason at short notice – leaving them no time to complain or find a replacement bank.
Campaigning for you:
Low Pay Commission meeting in London
NHBF met with the Low Pay Commission as part of their regional meetings around the UK, this time in London. The Low Pay Commission are an independent body giving the government advice and recommendations about wage rates.
NHBF raised the themes and stats in the Straightening out the costs report modelling the impact of the Autumn Budget (wage rises, NICs changes etc) on the sector. NHBF member and Policy Advisory Board member shared her experience as a London-based business with four salons and a team of 50+ with 10+ apprentices and significant rising costs.
The Commissioners raised a series of questions about price rises, apprenticeships and future wage rates including the option of a training rate for all ages. Discussions also covered the fact that hair and beauty is 60% staff costs with other sectors like social care people heavy but not paying the costs of being on the high street. Solutions in the form of VAT reform and apprenticeship incentives were covered.
Sector meeting with Caroline Dinenage MP
A big thank you to Caroline Dinenage MP for Gosport and Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport committee in parliament for hosting a local meeting with hair and beauty businesses to hear about their concerns and wish list for government.
NHBF kicked off with a presentation about the impact of the Autumn Budget outlining our Straightening out the costs report. The report models rising costs for businesses and a reduced tax take for the treasury as some businesses shift to a self-employed model.
Caroline asked businesses about their issues and preferred solutions. Local businesses raised issues of VAT reform, lack of regulation, lack of a level playing field, challenges with local colleges and struggle to afford staff and apprentices since the Budget. Caroline committed to keeping a dialogue open and representing the sector in Parliament.
Questions in parliament
NHBF tabled a series of questions in Parliament through Luke Taylor, MP for Sutton and Cheam with others following shortly. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade was asked directly ‘what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the report by the National Hair and Beauty Federation entitled Straightening out the costs’.
Gareth Thomas MP, Minister for Small Business, Services and Exports replied:
'This Government recognises the immense economic and social value of the hair and beauty industry, which is why we have committed to reforming business rates from 2026-27 with a permanent lower multiplier for retail, leisure and hospitality properties, including hair and beauty salons.
For national insurance contributions, increasing the employment Allowance to £10,500 will mean that 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all and more than half of the employers see no change or gain overall from this package including many businesses in the hair and beauty industries.'
The NHBF will continue to press the government for VAT reform, targeted apprenticeship incentives and business rates reform that benefits the sector.