The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has moved swiftly to represent sector concerns following the recent Autumn Budget announcement, demonstrating sustained engagement with senior government officials through a series of high-level meetings.
Continued Government Engagement
In an ongoing dialogue with key decision-makers, the NHBF has participated in two significant government meetings:
- An initial meeting with the Secretary of State for Business & Trade Jonathan Reynolds and the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray with other business leaders earlier this month to address immediate budget concerns.
- A follow-up roundtable discussion with Gareth Thomas MP, Minister for Business and Exports, and his team, marking the second productive engagement with the Minister since the new government.
This sequential approach demonstrates NHBF’s committed effort to ensure the sector’s voice is being heard at multiple levels of government.
Strategic Industry Representation
During the roundtable meeting this week, which included other leading sector organisations, we pursued topics raised at our initial one to one meeting with the Minister and the NHBF focused on:
- Presenting analysis and case studies of the Budget’s impact.
- Identifying specific challenges facing the sector going forward particularly for employers and the affordability of taking on apprentices.
- Proposing potential solutions to support industry recovery and growth including around VAT.
- Building on previous discussions to advance sector priorities.
Caroline Larissey, NHBF Chief Executive, who attended all three meetings, commented: “These constructive discussions with the Secretary of State for Business & Trade and Minister Gareth Thomas demonstrate the government’s recognition of our sector’s significance. We presented clear evidence of the challenges our members are facing following the budget announcements and proposed practical solutions to support the sector. While there is still work to be done, these meetings represent important steps forward in our ongoing dialogue with government to secure meaningful support for our sector.”
Moving forward The NHBF remains committed to:
- Maintaining this momentum of high-level government dialogue.
- Developing practical solutions to support members.
- Presenting further analysis and evidence and advocating for sector-specific support measures.
- Providing updated guidance and resources to members.
Caroline added: “Through our sustained engagement with both the Secretary of State and the Minister for Small Business and Exports, we are ensuring that the hair and beauty sector’s concerns are being addressed at the highest levels of government,”. “These consecutive meetings demonstrate both the government’s willingness to engage and our commitment to securing meaningful support for our members.”