The hair and barbering sector is urged to take action by supporting the Salon Owners and Employers action day that will take place on March 17th in central London.
The British Hair Consortium is urging for the whole industry to pull together to show its support for tax reform. Hairdressing and beauty salon owners are calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to throw the sector an economic lifeline, and it is hoped that a ‘Save Our Salons’ rally will get the attention of the media and Government.
A recent report commissioned by the British Hair Consortium and carried out by CBI Economics, highlighted how an unbalanced tax system is decimating the hair and beauty industry – and showed that unless things change, there will be no new apprenticeships by 2027 and a 93% fall in employment by 2030. This would leave very few in employment, creating a sector largely devoid of the employment rights that come with being an employee.
With the Spring Forecast on the horizon, the British Hair Consortium – which represents 50,000 UK hairdressing professionals – says the Government must urgently halve the VAT salons pay on labour costs to 10% to help them overcome the existential crisis they’re facing.
The event details are:
- Salon owners and employees action day will take place at Parliament Square Garden, meeting at 12.45pm on March 17th 2025 at Parliament Square Garden (a map of the exact location is available here: https://www.bhc.org.uk/).
- Protestors are urged to attend wearing black cutting gowns or black uniforms. The slogan for the protest is SOS – Save Our Salons, and signs relaying this message are encouraged.
- The British Hair Consortium would like anyone who has a fold up chair to bring it along, with an aim for people to be sitting down having a hair and beauty service performed.
Toby Dicker from The British Hair Consortium says: “This is an opportunity for us to be seen and heard. Let’s make this the biggest protest that our industry has ever embarked on and show the world that we are serious about the impact VAT reform could have on our entire industry. We have one chance to make a difference, and that chance is now, so please support us in London on March 17th.”
The British Hair Consortium would like those interested in attending the protest to sign up via a form on https://www.bhc.org.uk/ @britishhairconsortium #saveoursalons
