The UK Government has unveiled a new strategy Backing Your Business: Our Plan for Small and Medium Sized Businesses outlining its long-term commitment to support small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).
Published:With hair & beauty comprising thousands of salons, barbershops, clinics and self-employed professionals, many measures in this plan will directly affect our sector.
The NHBF has campaigned for a reformed business rates system, and we cautiously welcome the announcement that Government plans to permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure premises with ratable values under £500,000 starting in April 2026.
This change, alongside extended relief for 2025/26 and a freeze on the Small Business Multiplier, is a step towards providing financial relief to many hair and beauty businesses.
However, this is just a first step in the right direction, the NHBF is working with the Government to secure significant levels of reform.
One of the major announcements in the Government’s plan is new legislation to tackle late payments.
This is a long-standing and serious issue in the hair and beauty sector. Many NHBF Members, particularly Solo Members, Assured Trade Members including educators, and brand ambassadors, report delays of 60 days or more when working with larger companies.
These late payments can cause major cashflow problems and undermine trust. The proposed reforms will introduce stricter payment terms, mandatory interest on overdue invoices, and the power to fine large firms that consistently pay late.
NHBF strongly supports this change by the Government, which has the potential to deliver fairer, faster payments across the supply chain and empower small business owners to focus on their work, not chasing invoices.
The plan also responds to growing concerns over safety on the high street, promising 13,000 additional community police officers and specific action against shoplifting and theft.
We know that many Members are concerned about the impact on their businesses if an area is perceived to be high crime, so we welcome this investment.
The Government is investing in leadership training, digital adoption, and AI tools for small business owners.
This includes specialist funding through the Made Smarter Adoption programme and expanded access to apprenticeships. These initiatives could help salons upskill staff, streamline bookings and marketing, and attract new clients.
The NHBF will work closely with the Department of Business and Trade to understand what this means for our Members and the wider hair & beauty sector.
Finally, NHBF is closely monitoring proposals under the Employment Rights Bill, which is mentioned throughout the Business Plan, which could increase costs for small employers. There are also new expectations around energy use and sustainability. While support is offered, compliance may be complex and costly for some.
Caroline Larissey, NHBF chief executive, says, “We welcome this plan as a starting point. NHBF will be engaging directly with Government to ensure our Members, the hair & beauty sector’s voice is heard by championing policies that support, not strain, this vital part of the economy. We will continue keep members informed and provide resources to help navigate these changes.
If our are an NHBF Member and there you have any concerns about the Government plan which you’d like the NHBF to raise with the Government please contact Sam Silver, Director of Policy and Public Affairs: sam.silver@nhbf.co.uk
For more info follow @nhbfsocial on Instagram.
Understand whether you’re classed as employed or self-employed for tax purposes.
Published:Put together with input from the NHBF and other sector groups, this guidance is especially useful for those working under the popular ‘rent a chair’ model — where professionals pay a fee or a percentage of their earnings to use a chair or space in a salon, barbershop or clinic.
“ The new resources, will be valuable for salon, barbershop and clinic business owners, and professionals across our diverse sector. As with any guidance, there are naturally opportunities for continued refinement to reflect the full breadth of business models in our sector, particularly VAT exemptions for some beauty/ wellbeing treatments, ”
– Caroline Larissey, Chief Executive of the NHBF.
The guidance includes practical, easy-to-follow information about common working setups, along with real-life examples. It also explains how to use HMRC’s Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) tool to figure out someone’s tax status — whether that’s as an employee or a self-employed business owner.
“ Whether you’re a salon owner with staff or someone who rents out chairs in your premises, this guidance will help you understand your obligations, so you can get your tax right first time,” – Kelvin Shorte, Deputy Director, Taskforces & Specialist Compliance at HMRC.
The NHBF will continue working with HMRC to make sure the guidance reflects the reality of how our industry works and supports everyone in meeting their responsibilities with confidence.
For more information on how to join the NHBF visit www.nhbf.co.uk
The NHBF Top 50 Hair Influencers for 2025 will be unveiled live at HairCon.
Published:This highly anticipated moment will spotlight the Trailblazers, Educators, and Trendsetters who are shaping the future of hairdressing and barbering, and entries are currently open to nominate your favourite Influencer! You can nominate as many people as you like or even yourself. Vote for the individuals who you believe are making the biggest impact online, whether they’re hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists, nail technicians, make-up artists, or aestheticians.
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– The Top 50 Hair Influencer Index
– The Top 50 Beauty Influencer Index
– A professional currently working in the hairdressing, barbering, beauty, wellbeing or aesthetics industries.
– Applicants should have an applicable qualification in the industry they are working in, from a regulated awarding organisation or equivalent continual experience working in the industry (5 years+).
– 11th April
Attendees at HairCon will be the first to witness the official reveal, making this a must-attend event for industry professionals and fans alike.
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For more info and to nominate, please visit https://www.nhbf.co.uk/events/top-100-influencers/
NHBF explains the significant changes ahead following the government’s latest reforms.
Published: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 the minimum apprenticeship duration from 12 to eight months.
With the aim of breaking down barriers to entry, from February 11, 2025, businesses will be able to decide whether adult learners over 19 needs to complete level 2 English and maths qualifications to pass their apprenticeship.
“These reforms could mark a turning point for our sector. Many talented individuals who excel in practical skills but struggle with formal qualifications will now have the opportunity to pursue their passion in our sector. This could lead to a more diverse and skilled workforce, better equipped to meet the evolving needs of our clients,”
– Caroline Larissey, Chief Executive of the National Hair and Beauty Federation.
Although the reforms are welcome, faced with increasing apprentice minimum wages alongside the need for more robust employer incentives, there are however important concerns being raised about economic viability.
Extending beyond entry requirements, the End Point Assessments (EPAs) process will become more streamlined from April 2025.
Accelerated Career Paths
The reduction in minimum apprenticeship duration from 12 to eight months will take effect from August 2025 and offers new possibilities for rapid workforce development.
Administrative Improvements
Addressing existing administrative challenges faced by training providers in the beauty sector, from August 2025, the sector will benefit from simplified payment systems with the removal of data duplication requirements between the ILR and Apprenticeship Service submissions.
Advantages for Hair & Beauty Businesses
Maintaining Quality Standards
The Department for Education emphasises that apprentices will still be assessed on core skills relevant to their occupation, ensuring that the quality of service in the sector remains uncompromised.
Survive & Thrive Initiative
The NHBF has been actively addressing these challenges through its Survive and Thrive initiative. These proposals include specific recommendations for financial support mechanisms and incentives designed to make apprenticeships more sustainable for hair and beauty business owners.
For more information please visit NHBF.
Key Takeaways on Supporting Excellence Through Change’ Event
Published:The NHBF Survive & Thrive Stakeholder event, led by NHBF Chief Executive Caroline Larissey and President Amanda Lodge-Stewart, provided a forum to discuss and address the key issues affecting the hair & beauty sector now and in the immediate future.
Three Pillars
• Tools and resources, including budget impact calculators and employment guidance, are available to support business sustainability.
•Political advocacy efforts are ongoing to highlight sector challenges and influence policy decisions.
•The right collaboration across the sector is essential to adapt, grow, and maintain professional excellence.
The NHBF can work closely with brands and organisations to advise on key policies that will affect the sector, and how to practically support hair & beauty professionals – salon, barbershop and clinic owners of all sizes; franchises and micro operators.
For more details, please contact the NHBF.