Wed, 19 Feb 2025

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 'Perfect storm' could see end of salon apprenticeships

Hairdressers are calling for government support, saying there could be no salon apprentices by 2027.
Salon owners are warning that financial pressures may lead them to stop taking on new apprentices within two years due to a "perfect storm" of costs. The British Hair Consortium, which represents 50,000 hairdressers, is calling for government changes to VAT and other taxes to help the industry. Currently, salons pay 20% VAT like most businesses but struggle to recover the cost because their work is so labour-intensive. Many are opting to rent chairs instead of employing stylists to avoid paying tax. A report by CBI Economics predicts a significant decline in apprenticeships:
* By 2027, there "may be no new apprenticeships offered"
* Direct employment could plummet by 93% by 2030 Apprentices like Alex Ritchie and Adam Hussain are concerned about the future of their industry. They believe that without apprentices, salons will struggle to run effectively. Salon owners, including Jezz Ellis from Saks, agree that financial pressures are crippling many businesses. The British Hair Consortium is urging the government to act quickly to address these issues ahead of the spring forecast on March 26th.
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