18 February 2025
Apprenticeship Reforms: Impact on the Hair and Beauty Sector
The hair and beauty sector is set to experience significant changes following the government's latest apprenticeship reforms. In a move that could reshape the sector's workforce development, the Department for Education has announced the removal of English and maths functional skills exit requirements for adult apprentices, alongside a reduction in minimum apprenticeship duration from 12 to eight months.
Read the full NHBF press release here.
£5.5billion lost to tax evasion could be significant underestimate, PAC report warns
The true cost of tax evasion is likely being vastly underestimated, as loopholes in the current system make it all too easy for fraudulent behaviour to go unchecked. In a report, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is calling for a clear strategy to tackle tax evasion and increased powers for public bodies to address fraud.
HMRC estimates that tax evasion cost £5.5 billion in lost revenue in 2022-23, 81% of which could be attributed to small businesses. The government will publish a response to the report in April and NHBF will monitor next steps.
Apprenticeships week – NHBF campaigning for you in Parliament
NHBF joined MPs and Peers in Parliament this week, Apprenticeships Week, at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Apprenticeships Parliamentary Fair.
The Fair was a celebration and promotion of the role that apprentices play and was attended by employers, training providers, universities and apprentices from across the economy.
The event was hosted by Andrew Pakes MP (Peterborough), who underlined the role of the APPG to help put apprenticeships on the map and make it easier for employers, young people and brokerage organisations to engage. He pointed to the opportunity for apprentices to underpin growth and to the recent government announcement to offer flexibility by relaxing English and Maths requirements.