While lobbying for policy change demands diplomacy and patience, it’s vital to have an independent body with the intention to gain fair and well-considered outcomes that allow us to flourish in our workplace. Remarkable progress has been made in just 7 years. I encourage you to give credit to the British Beauty Council which has not only achieved much in providing accurate and insightful data to government, but has ensured hair and barbering is seen, recognised for the value it adds to the economy, and has effected change.

Policy wins include a seismic shift in the way Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes (LINK: https://britishbeautycouncil.com/a-landmark-moment-for-our-industry-new-sic-codes-for-hair-beauty-and-spa-are-announced/) are organised. Hair, beauty and spa activities will now be individually recognised with their own individual statistical coding. It will take time to be fully implemented, but make no mistake, this is massive. It will better define how our industry is evaluated, and immediately negate the need for us to spend huge amounts of budget on commissioning surveys to prove what we do and demonstrate where strengths or weaknesses lie. It will speed up the conversations with the government and enable more swift action to identify what needs addressing and why.

And there’s more. Recent and specific successes include small business and high street support for our industry with the British Beauty Council leading sustained and meaningful contact with HMRC, the Treasury and the Department for Trade and Industry (LINK: https://britishbeautycouncil.com/british-beauty-council-stands-up-for-beauty-businesses-on-the-high-street/).  It has won support for our hair and beauty sector, understanding of the need for business rate relief, and input into the forthcoming High Street Strategy and the recently published Small Business Strategy. There is a continual, strong push for Tax Reform (LINK: https://britishbeautycouncil.com/british-beauty-council-welcomes-landmark-report-calling-for-urgent-sme-reform/), particularly the burden on labour taxes, NIC, business rates and other costs. It’s not simply the VAT that needs addressing. The British Beauty Council is relentless in the pursuit of diplomatic, solution-led action that is fit for purpose broadly and will benefit all of us, not simply the elite or higher-income businesses/personnel.

Similarly, I give kudos to the British Beauty Council Hair Equity Taskforce for securing an update to the National Occupational Standards in 2021. The task now is to ensure enforcement of this. And also to the launch of the MYGroup X British Beauty Council recycling box: (LINK: https://britishbeautycouncil.com/the-great-british-beauty-clean-up-partners-with-mygroup/) A takeback scheme designed for salons to dispose of hard-to-recycle items, such as used hair foils, enabling them to take part in the Great British Beauty Clean Up campaign. Such action gives us meaning and underpins the integrity of our industry now and in the future.

Such areas of current activity are a strong endorsement of the valuable work the British Beauty Council does, and must continue with. As Chair of the Hair Committee, I confirm we are dedicated to supporting this by sharing evidence drawn from around the UK. We are integral to giving voice to hairdressers, barbers and business owners. We can shine a light on what is needed to help individuals and groups, be they freelancers, employees or employers. By adding colour to the proposals and data the British Beauty Council presents to government, we can truly make a difference to how this is received. Individually, we are lost in a crowd, but together we are stronger and we are seen.