Parliament Protest Urges Govt To ‘Give Tax The Chop’

Hairdressers descend on Parliament Square to boost attention to VAT cause

by AMANDA | INFORM

Hundreds of hairdressers protested in Parliament Square in a bid to encourage Government to consider urgent tax reform.

Organised by the British Hair Consortium, salon owners and employers gathered at London’s Parliament Square in the hope that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will throw the sector an “economic lifeline”. Protestors wore the hairdressers’ preferred uniform all black with placards including ‘Give Tax The Chop’ and ‘Make Hair Fair’, with some performing cuts on ‘clients’ wearing gowns with SOS – ‘Save Our Salons’ – on the front. Newspapers such as the Daily Mail and The Independent covered the action.

The BHC is urging Government to halve the VAT salons pay on labour costs to 10 per cent to help them overcome the existential crisis they’re facing. A recent report, commissioned by the BHC and carried out by CBI Economics, highlighted how an unbalanced tax system is decimating the hair and beauty industry – and showed that unless things change, there couldbe no new apprenticeships by 2027 and a 93 per cent fall in employment by 2030. This would leave very few in employment, creating a sector largely devoid of the employment rights that come with being an employee.

“We won’t stand down and let our industry die,” said Toby Dicker from The British Hair Consortium. “The support shown by our industry was incredible and I hope that we have gained the attention that we need to show Government that we need a lifeline. We need VAT reform and we’re not going to stop shouting for this to happen.”

Ghd On Hunt For Its Style Squad

10 places up for grabs for UK and Irish hair talent

by AMANDA | INFORM

Iconic styling brand ghd is searching for 10 emerging hairstylists to make up the latest version of its Style Squad. The mentorship programme is a chance for young, up-and-coming talents in the UK and Ireland to access career-defining experiences and sharpen their skills.

Open to stylists currently doing NVQ Level 2 or 3 (or equivalent) or those in their first two years of hairdressing, the successful team will receive full ghd product training, work together on creative challenges and attend exclusive inspiration days with mentorship from the ghd education team and guest artists. They’ll also gain access to brand events and activations, as well as accessing the chance to showcase their talent on major projects, including global and UK launch events, photoshoots and hands-on education from top industry pros like James Earnshaw and Michelle Thompson.

This Is How You Apply

Email stylesquad@ghdhair.com to request an application form

Create and upload an on-trend, 60-second how-to video using your favourite ghd tool – either self-styling or on a model with a step-by-step caption – to Instagram or TikTok. (No doll heads or AI allowed).

Tag @ghdhairpro and use the hashtag #ghdstylesquadUKI.

Send your video and completed application back to stylesquad@ghdhair.com before the deadline – 5pm on Tuesday 1 April.

Meet The New L’Oréal Professionnel Paris ID Artists For 2025

L’Oréal Professionnel Paris ID Artists – the talent development programme that helped nurture the likes of Harriet Stokes, Patrick Wilson, Richard Phillipart and Sophia Hilton – has revealed its cadre for 2025.

by AMANDA | INFORM

Developed by L’Oréal Professionnel Paris to identify and cultivate individual talent, the ID Artist team receive education and opportunities designed to upskill, empower and connect with a nationwide community of fellow artists over a two-year period.

 The new 2025 ID Artists joining the second year ID Artists are:

Amelia Higgins, Dy8 Desinz
Becky Hare, Brooks & Brooks
Charlie Illi, Brooks & Brooks
Daryl Behan, Peter Mark
Georgia Patton, @G&S Hair
Jake Murphy, Zeba Hairdressing
Jay Hanlin, Alan Edwards
Jessica Elwell, Scullion and Scot
Lydia Stiles, TONI&GUY Sloane Square
Morgan Hirst, Russell Eaton
Niamh Edwards, Leigh Roberts
Stephen Edgar, Andrew Mulvenna
Tyler Knox, Peter Mark Forestside
Zoe Harrison, Sola Hair Studio

Entrants had to submit an audition video showcasing a model, judged by a panel of expertsincluding Darren Ambrose from D&J Ambrose and Angie Dromgoole from ZebaHairdressing, with finalists invited to a virtual interview to share their creative vision.

NHBF: Budget Changes To Cost Hair & Beauty Sector £139m

New report looks at economic impact of the Autumn Budget on hair and beauty businesses

by AMANDA | INFORM

Research by Pragmatix Advisory for the NHBF focuses on seven key measures – changes to the National Minimum Wage, Apprenticeship Minimum Wage rates, employer National Insurance contributions (NICs), Employment Allowance, business rates and business rates relief. The £139m impact is based on official government statistics and responses to the NHBF January 2025 State of the Industry survey.

With staff costs typically around 60 per cent – higher than the likes of hospitality where staff costs account for approximately 28 per cent – the Budget changes will hit hair and beauty particularly hard. According to the report, labour costs are expected to rise by four per cent, equivalent to £100m across the sector, driven by the rise in the National Minimum Wage, Apprentice Minimum Wage, and the changes in the thresholds and rates for employer NICs.

Overall tax revenue is expected to decrease by four per cent, or £44m across the sector, net of Employment Allowance. VAT paid is estimated to fall by 0.5 per cent, equivalent to £2.5 million. Based on responses to its recent State of the Industry survey, one in four salons (19per cent – approximately 9,370) plan to shift to self-employed models, likely to avoid the increased costs linked to traditional employment structures. For ‘micro’ businesses with fewer than four employees, the Budget is likely to add £1,130 in costs, while ‘mini’ businesses with 10 employees can expect to face £10,370 in additional costs per year.

Profits are projected to drop by 15 per cent across the sector, driven by rising labour costs and reduced consumer demand. Turnover is anticipated to slide by £20m.

The survey illustrated that seven in 10 businesses plan to increase prices, while 45 per cent will cut staff hours. Additionally, 45 per cent said they will trim the number of employees, with an average cut of 2.7 full-time equivalent staff.

“Our sector, which employs predominantly women and young people, is facing unprecedented pressure to either raise prices significantly or fundamentally change business models – with serious implications for jobs, training, and high street vitality,” said Caroline Larissey, chief executive of the NHBF. The organisation has written to the Chancellor ahead of the fiscal statement on 26 March. This letter asks for an urgent review of VAT; support for apprenticeships, including £3,000+ incentives per employee to cover training costs; business rates reform; more flexibility from energy suppliers to tackle high utility costs and enhanced HMRC resources for both enforcement and sector-specific advice to ensure fair competition.