Dinenage issues hair and beauty warning after hikes
GOSPORT MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage has warned that the UK’s hair and beauty sector could face prolonged decline as she spoke in the House of Commons about the Government’s hike to Employer National Insurance contributions and increase in the National Minimum Living Wage; which both came into effect earlier this month and has caused financial pressures for this £5.8 billion sector across the country.
She was participating in a Parliamentary debate organised by Julia Lopez (Conservative MP for Hornchurch and Upminster) and used the opportunity to stress that frequent messages had been received from Gosport salon owners. Ms Dinenage stated that they were “seriously worried about their future” as a result of the above measures announced in the Spring Statement.
It is estimated that the rising costs would mean that an average small salon in the constituency would have to find an extra £25,000 per year to keep its business running, which the Gosport MP argued was entirely unsustainable and risked forcing them into the black economy or closure.
Ms Dinenage further challenged the Minister to U-turn on these measures and raised concerns about the recent announcement from the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions in late March. This saw an introduction of welfare reforms aimed at incentivising people across the country back into work, but opposition MPs have been concerned about how this couples with policies that could lead to the closure of many small businesses and more people being unemployed.
She also warned that the Government will make over 1,000 apprenticeships in the sector unaffordable, closing the door to young people. This was a particular area that was raised in the debates regarding the welfare reforms, which are set to save £5 billion by the end of this Parliament and will begin to take effect by 2026.
Speaking during the debate, Caroline said: “This is existential for many small salon owners who have been pillars of our high streets for decades. “These businesses are not just about looking good, they support local communities, employ a disproportionate number of skilled women, and contribute millions to our economy.”
Ms Dinenage further hosted a roundtable with those in the Hair and Beauty industry on April 28, where she heard directly about the pressures facing the sector and is due to feed this back to Parliamentary colleagues in due course.
PICTURED BY DAME CAROLINE DINENAGE MP MEDIA: The Gosport MP has warned about the impact of Government policies on the hair and beauty sector, which is said to be worth £5.8 billion to the UK economy.
