2 November 2020

This update covers:

  • Furlough scheme extended for one month.
  • England: national restrictions from 5 November 2020.
  • Wales: current restrictions.
  • Scotland: current restrictions.
  • Northern Ireland: current restrictions.

Response from NHBF chief executive Richard Lambert

“We hoped that the lockdown earlier in the year would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While we understand the reasoning behind the decisions which have been taken across the UK, it will be hard for those who have not yet fully recovered from the previous closure.

“Whilst we welcome the return to the original furlough scheme, which will cover 80% of employees’ wages throughout November, we are also lobbying the government to provide a wider range of financial support including a reduction in VAT to 5%, an extension of the business rates relief, extensions to eviction protections, student loan style repayment plans for bounce back loans and greater support for the self-employed.”

 

Furlough scheme extended for one month

The UK-wide furlough scheme has been extended for a further month. It had been due to finish at the end of October 2020.

You can bring furloughed employees back to work on a part-time basis or furlough them full-time. Employers must pay National Insurance and employer pension contributions. Employees will receive 80% of their salary for hours not worked up to a maximum of £2,500.

The government will be publishing further details shortly.

Job Support Scheme postponed

PLEASE NOTE: The Job Support Scheme, which was scheduled to come in on Sunday, 1 November, has now been postponed until the extended furlough scheme ends.

England: national restrictions from 5 November 2020

All personal care businesses must close from Thursday, 5 November 2020 until Wednesday, 2 December. This means the last day that your business can open is Wednesday, 4 November 2020 and, subject to restrictions being lifted, you can reopen your business on Thursday, 3 December 2020. This includes hair salons, barbershops, beauty salons, spas, massage parlours, non-medical acupuncture and tanning salons.

Mobile hair and beauty services must also close.

Until 5 November, local restrictions under the three-tier system will continue to apply.

The NHBF has written to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to ask for urgent clarification on a number of issues being raised by our Members about this latest lockdown.

Find out more on the government website.

Find out what financial support is available.

Wales: current restrictions

A two-week ‘fire break’ period started in Wales on Friday, 23 October 2020 and will be in place until the start of Monday, 9 November 2020.

Close contact services including salons and barbershops must close. Mobile hairdressers and therapists must not operate during this period.

The Welsh Government has published FAQs about the fire break.

Find out what financial support is available in Wales.

Scotland: current restrictions

A new five-tier system of coronavirus restrictions will come into force in Scotland from today, 2 November 2020. The levels are zero to four.

Effect on hair and beauty

Level 0

  • Salons and barbershops can open.
  • Mobile close contact services are permitted including both hair and beauty.

Level 1

  • Salons and barbershops can open.
  • Mobile close contact services are permitted including both hair and beauty.

Levels 2 and 3

  • Salons and barbershops can open.
  • Mobile hairdressing and barbering can operate.
  • Close contact services delivered from a salon, shop or other static site such as a home treatment room can operate.
  • All other types of mobile close contact services are not permitted.

You can double-check whether or not your business can open by checking which rules apply in your local area via the Scottish Government website.

 Level 4

  • Salons and barbershops must close.
  • Mobile close contact services are not permitted

Find out what financial support is available in Scotland.

Find out which level your area is in.

Find out more on the Scottish Government website.

Northern Ireland: current restrictions

On Friday, 16 October 2020, close contact services such as hairdressers, barbers and beauty therapists were closed for four weeks. Mobile hairdressers, beauty therapists and make-up artists are not allowed to work in clients’ homes.

Find out what financial support is available in Northern Ireland.

Find out more on the Northern Ireland Executive website.

 

For legal advice, Members can login to get our 24/7 legal helpline number. Again, please be patient. The legal team is also dealing with a huge number of calls.