Reports

The evidence behind the campaign

Independent research from CBI Economics, and the parliamentary and government reports where the British Hair & Beauty Consortium's evidence has been heard.

Our research

The CBI Economics reports

The BHC brought the voice of the industry; CBI Economics brought rigorous, independent analysis. Request the reports below and we will email them to you straight away.

July 2026 · Briefing note

The Collapse of Employment and Apprenticeships in the Hair & Beauty Sector

An update on Securing the Future of British Hair & Beauty, launched in Parliament with Vikki Slade MP. It tracks rising self-employment, falling apprenticeships and the pension gap opening up across the sector.

69% of the sector's workforce self-employed in 2025, against around 16% across the UK economy
70% fewer apprenticeship starts than a decade ago
£243m a year possible pension contribution shortfall
26% fall in total sector workers since the 2015 peak

Request this report

February 2025 · Full report

Securing the Future of UK Hairdressing & Beauty

The economic, fiscal and societal case for VAT reform. Our first major piece of work, drawing on a survey of 542 salon owners and projecting the sector forward to 2030.

93% projected fall in employment in the sector from 2024
£2.4bn estimated VAT receipts already lost
Zero apprenticeship starts by 2027 if post-Budget trends continue
3× harder hit by labour taxes and VAT than other high-street businesses

Request this report

The solution

What the reports call for

Not a tax cut, but a fair correction that protects jobs, training and Treasury receipts.

Split-rate VAT

Labour-based services taxed at 10%, goods at 20%, recognising the real cost structure of salons.

Mandatory registration

A register of hairdressing professionals to protect workers, clients and the quality of government data.

A level playing field

Ending the distortions that push salons towards disguised employment to survive.

A future for apprentices

Keeping the routes that train the next generation of hairdressers, barbers and therapists open.

In Parliament and government

Government reports where our evidence is heard

Committee reports, Commons Library research, Hansard and parliamentary questions that cite the British Hair & Beauty Consortium or record our evidence.

July 2026 · Business and Trade Committee · Government response Small business strategy: Government Response The Government "welcomes the Committee's focus on the hair and beauty sector" and commits to work with the ONS so the sector is properly represented in official data. April 2026 · House of Commons Library · Research briefing VAT registration A whole section on the specific concerns of the hair and beauty sector, citing the BHC's February 2025 campaign and report. 11 February 2026 · Business and Trade Committee · Report Small business strategy: Fifteenth Report of Session 2024–26 The BHC takes centre stage: the Committee cites "analysis by the British Hair Consortium, which represents around 50,000 UK hairdressers" on VAT, and BHC evidence on energy contracts and illegal trading on the high street. 1 July 2025 · Business and Trade Committee · Oral evidence Small business strategy: evidence session Toby Dicker gives evidence to MPs, and the Committee hears the BHC warning that the sector risks "zero apprenticeships by 2027". 2025 · Business and Trade Committee · Written evidence Written submission from the British Hair Consortium The BHC's written evidence to the Small Business Strategy inquiry. 29 April 2025 · House of Commons · Early Day Motion Challenges in the hair and beauty sector The motion notes the British Hair Consortium report and its estimated £2.4 billion loss in VAT receipts. 23 April 2025 · Westminster Hall · Debate Hair and Beauty Sector: Government Policy Four MPs cite the BHC, including Julia Lopez MP on the forecast 93% drop in direct employment. March 2025 · HM Treasury · Written questions Personal Care Services: VAT Three written questions to HM Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade ask what assessment has been made of the BHC's February 2025 report. 29 January 2025 · House of Lords · Grand Committee National Insurance Contributions Bill Baroness Lawlor cites the BHC finding that 20% of hair salons were considering closure within 12 months.

Get the reports

Request your copy

Fill in your details and we will email you both CBI Economics reports straight away: Securing the Future of UK Hairdressing & Beauty (February 2025) and The Collapse of Employment and Apprenticeships (July 2026).

Journalists can also contact our press team for comment and data.

Request the reports

CBI Economics for the British Hair Consortium, February 2025 and July 2026

Loading the form…