NHBF campaign urges government to recognise vital contribution of hair & beauty sectors

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has launched a campaign asking the UK Government to formally recognise the crucial contributions of the hair and beauty sector to the nation’s economy, communities and wellbeing.

The campaign, Respect Our Sector, is a bold call-to-action focusing on three key points: recognise, invest and include. It urges policymakers to recognise the hair and beauty industry as more than just consumer-facing.

The NHBF comments that ‘it is a dynamic, high-value sector that delivers jobs, skills, wellbeing, sustainability and social infrastructure’. It adds that this ‘must be supported by informed and inclusive policy’.

Supporting skills

The NHBF reports that the UK’s hair and beauty sector contributes £5.8 billion to the economy annually, supporting over 220,000 jobs, with an 86% female majority, ‘making it one of the most accessible and empowering career pathways for women and entrepreneurs’.

Additionally, young people are also benefitting from the hair and beauty industry, with education and employment landscapes being affected by the vast amount of apprenticeship opportunities and reachable routes to self-employment and business ownership.

The NHBF is calling for ‘an apprenticeship system that is employer-led, properly funded, flexible and aligned with modern working realities’. It adds: “This is key to closing the skills gap and supporting long-term growth.”

Social strength

The vast amount of beauty spaces in the UK have been the source of strong community growth and connection. Around 50,000 salons, barbershops and clinics on UK high streets are more than just businesses, they are ‘community hubs where relationships flourish, isolation is reduced and local identity is strengthened’, notes the NHBF.

The hair and beauty industry is a vital source of positive mental and emotional wellbeing, with professionals providing safe spaces for conversation, reducing loneliness and prioritising self-care.

Caroline Larissey, NHBF chief executive, urges the Government to ‘support the sector that supports everyone’. She notes: “We play a key role in community wellbeing – economically, emotionally and socially.”

Breaking barriers

Despite its benefits, the hair and beauty sector faces VAT thresholds and rules that ‘disproportionately penalise labour-intensive personal services and stifle expansion’, details the NHBF. The organisation is advocating for ‘a fairer VAT model – including the potential for reduced rates or a smoothing mechanism – to allow businesses to scale sustainably, create more jobs and drive economic recovery’.

Furthermore, with a key focus of the industry being sustainability and adopting eco-friendly approaches, Government support could allow green growth and flourishing environmental prioritisation.

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“Respect Our Sector is more than a message; it’s a movement,” says Caroline Larissey. “We’re asking the Government to recognise our true value – to value the people, power the economy and futureproof the services that are integral to daily life across every postcode in the UK.

“Stronger hair and beauty businesses mean stronger communities. This sector is resilient, creative and essential. But to continue thriving, it must be included in the policy decisions that shape our country’s future.”

For information on how to join the NHBF, visit www.nhbf.co.uk and follow @nhbfsocial on Instagram.