NHBF Launches State of the Sector Survey
The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has launched a new State of the Sector: An Employer Survey to gather evidence from hair, barbering, beauty and aesthetics businesses that employ staff.
The survey will run for a number of weeks and comes following the Government’s announcement of a temporary VAT cut for selected summer activities, which the NHBF says shows that Ministers recognise VAT can be used to support consumer-facing businesses, improve affordability and drive footfall.
It’s all the more important for the sector to respond as the NHBF prepares to engage with the Low Pay Commission and the Treasury ahead of the Autumn 2026 Budget.
The NHBF said the announcement makes it even more important for employer businesses in hair, beauty, barbering and aesthetics to make their voice heard. The survey will gather evidence on the pressures facing businesses that employ staff, train apprentices and support high streets across the UK.
The survey is specifically for those in the sector who employ staff. It asks about trading conditions, staffing, apprenticeships, wage costs, employer National Insurance Contributions, VAT, business rates, rent and wider cost pressures.
Across the UK, the hair & beauty sector includes 50,400 businesses, supports 178,178 people in employment and generates more than £6.1 billion in turnover. These are the salons, barbershops, beauty businesses and clinics keeping high streets alive. But many are small employers with limited room to absorb rising wage costs, employer National Insurance, VAT and business rates. That is why this survey matters.
Employer businesses play a vital role in the sector. They create jobs, provide training, support apprenticeships and help keep high streets and local communities active. But many are facing rising employment costs, recruitment challenges, pressure to increase prices and uncertainty about whether they can continue to employ, train and invest.
The NHBF said the Government’s recent VAT announcement has sharpened the case for reform. If temporary VAT support can be used to help selected sectors over the summer, the NHBF believes the Government must also listen to the year-round pressures facing hair, beauty, barbering and aesthetics businesses.
The survey launches today. It is open to the entire sector.
The NHBF will use the findings to inform its ongoing engagement with government, MPs, devolved administrations and policymakers as part of its Respect Our Sector campaign.
Sam Silver, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the National Hair & Beauty Federation, said:
“Now is the time for hair, beauty and barbering employers to make their voices heard. While the Government’s recent VAT announcement shows Ministers recognise the role tax policy can play in supporting demand, affordability and high street footfall, our sector is still waiting for the same recognition despite clear evidence that current pressures are restricting growth and employment.
This survey will gather vital evidence from businesses across the sector on the impact of rising wages, employer National Insurance, VAT, business rates, rent and wider operating costs. Employers are not asking for special treatment, but for a fair environment that allows them to employ staff, train apprentices and invest in the future. If Government is prepared to use VAT policy to support consumer-facing industries, it must also listen to the businesses that keep high streets thriving year-round.”
The evidence will support the NHBF’s work on fairer taxation, employment costs, apprenticeships, recruitment, business rates and the long-term viability of employer businesses in the sector.
The survey is specifically aimed at businesses that employ staff, including salons, barbershops, beauty salons, aesthetics clinics, combined hair & beauty businesses, multi-site operators and mixed-model businesses with employed staff alongside self-employed contractors, chair renters or room renters.
The NHBF will run surveys for other parts of the sector shortly, including self-employed professionals and other business models.
Take part in the State of the Sector: An Employer Survey: State of the Sector: An Employer Survey – Fill in form
