19 July 2022
Latest NHBF update – 19 July 2022
This week's update covers:
- NHBF Annual Report 2021 - a year of supporting our Members
- Consultation on Introducing the Mandatory Licensing Scheme for Special Procedures in Wales
- APPG on apprenticeships launches annual report
- Hair Salons & GPs working together in your community to promote heart health
- Help to Grow: Management updates
- Countdown to the Hair & Beauty industry Top 100 Influencers Index 2022
- NHBF represents the sector in the Wales Senedd
- NHBF representing the sector to the Low Pay Commission
NHBF Annual Report 2021- a year of supporting our Members
The re-imposition of lockdown and enforced closure of salons across the UK in December 2020 prompted us to re-assess our plans for 2021. It was evident from the reactions we received in the early weeks and from the data we gathered that the NHBF had to prioritise supporting its Members and itself through 2021.
The Management Team re-assessed our plans and, with the support of the Board, agreed a short-term operational strategy which focused on three core objectives:
- Securing an emergency financial relief package from Government
- Developing and implementing a plan to support re-opening and recovery
- Increase Member retention to more than 85%
We succeeded in the first of these. Our success in the second and third was more limited during 2021, but much of what was proposed and worked on during the year now forms part of the Industry Support Programme, which we launched in 2022.
Consultation on Introducing the Mandatory Licensing Scheme for Special Procedures in Wales
The Public Health (Wales) Act received Royal Assent in July 2017. Part 4 of the Act, which is now being prepared for consultation, requires a mandatory licensing scheme for practitioners and businesses carrying out 'Special Procedures' in Wales. 'Special Procedures' include those practices currently requiring registration under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, namely tattooing (including semi-permanent make-up), body piercing, acupuncture and electrolysis.
The main requirements of the mandatory licensing scheme include:
- Practitioners must be licensed to carry out special procedures (it will be an offence to carry out special procedures without a licence);
- Business premises or vehicles must be approved (it will be an offence for a practitioner to perform any procedures from premises or vehicles that are not approved);
- A full licence will last for three years, and a temporary licence will last for seven days (this is to accommodate events and conferences). It will be a requirement to display the licence on the premises where the special procedure is undertaken;
The Welsh Government is preparing the official consultation paper, which will be published later this year. This paper will set out their proposals for the licensing scheme and give the NHBF, who will be feeding into the consultation, the opportunity to comment on the proposals.
APPG on Apprenticeships launches annual report
The APPG on Apprenticeships launched its latest annual report last week, forming part of the APPG's effort to ensure better access to apprenticeships for both learners and employers.
The key recommendations of the APPG's annual report are as follows:
- The Government should build on the provisions of the Schools and Post-16 Education Act and do more to raise awareness of apprenticeship pathways and their benefits as a positive alternative to the traditional three-year degree route for school-leavers, both at the sixth form and GCSE level.
- The Government should increase the flexibility of what the Apprenticeship Levy can be used for and when, for example, to support training costs, shorter apprenticeships courses and a wider range of apprenticeships. The Levy should sufficiently allow businesses to transfer or pool their resources to improve the provision of apprenticeships.
- To support the Levelling Up agenda, the Government should make 'pre-apprenticeship' funding available to support candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve any relevant qualifications they may need to facilitate their apprenticeship, such as a driving licence.
Commenting on the report launch, Emma Hardy MP and Richard Holden MP, Co-Chairs of the APPG, said:
"Following another extraordinary year which reshaped Government priorities and spending, the skills agenda remains a key pillar. This report sets out why and how the Government should continue to leverage skills and training to support the long-term recovery of the country, the Levelling Up agenda and achieving Net Zero. We would support the Government giving greater flexibility in the apprenticeship levy, further support for small businesses to take on an apprentice, and a greater focus on providing more Level 2 qualification provisions with a focus on them as a path to progression to advanced apprenticeships and beyond."
Last chance to register interest: Hair Salons & GPs working together in your community to promote heart health
BELONG Study UK, part of a Kings College campaign, is looking for hairdressers, salon owners, managers or receptionists who are at least 18 years old and work in hair salons in South and West London. They are conducting online or face-to-face conversations during Summer 2022 to gather your opinions about how they can promote this initiative of hair salons & GPs working together in your community to promote heart health. You will be offered a £20 voucher for your participation. If you are interested, contact at belongstudyuk@gmail.com or 07717 490283
Click to view campaign leaflet.
Help to Grow: Management updates
Following feedback from business, the eligibility criteria (press release) has changed so businesses with ten or more employees can have up to 2 participants join the scheme. Additionally, previous participants in the Small Business Leadership Programme will now be eligible to join.
Registering for a course has just gotten easier! The online search engine now provides a postcode search providing participants with a more accurate and localised search to identify a course or school nearest to their home/work.
Case Studies –a number of new videos where participants talk about their experiences are now available to view.
Countdown to the Hair & Beauty industry Top 100 Influencers Index 2022
We have reached the last ten days until entries close to this year's 'Hair & Beauty industry - Top 100 Influencers Index'. This is your opportunity to recognise those in the industry who influence, educate and innovate the sector through their social media channels.
You can nominate your favourite influencers at www.nhbf.co.uk/top-100-influencers.
NHBF represents the sector in the Wales Senedd
On 11 July 2022, NHBF represented the hair and beauty sector at the Cross-Party Group on Small Shops meeting about the new Wales Retail Vision. The group was chaired by Viki Howells MS (Member of the Senedd), and other members of the group were present. The NHBF had the opportunity to respond to the Vision and feed in with other business organisations, outlining how the sector is faring in Wales using insights from our quarterly State of the Industry survey and outlining the need for further incentives for apprenticeships to secure the future of the sector. NHBF will be feeding into the action plan to deliver the vision.
More information about the Retail Vision here: A shared strategic vision for the retail sector | GOV.WALES
NHBF representing the sector to the Low Pay Commission
On 13 July 2022, the NHBF met with the Low Pay Commission, the body advising the Government on setting National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates. The NHBF put in a comprehensive submission to the LPC based on insights from the quarterly State of the Industry survey results, wages survey in May and recently published skills report. The Commission asked a series of probing questions about a range of sector issues, including current levels of client demand, recruitment challenges, the shift to self-employment, apprentices and growth intentions, to inform their decision-making. Given escalating business costs and the fact that the recovery is not yet bedded in, the NHBF called for restraint from the Commission regarding future wage rate rises. The Low Pay Commission will make its recommendations to the Government in the autumn.