VAT on hair and beauty services

That this House recognises the significant impact that the Coronavirus pandemic has had on the hairdressing, beauty and holistic service industry; notes that this sector is reported by the British Beauty Council to contribute £9.2bn annually to Britain’s economy, employing a workforce of 288,160 people as hair and beauty practitioners in salons and in a self-employed capacity within the UK; appreciates that 88.6 per cent of those employed in the sector are women; is concerned by reports that 62 per cent of salons owners were unsure if they would survive beyond this financial year and that 18 per cent felt certain they would have to close their doors; notes that while Government grants were welcome, the loss of income for many in the sector has been considerable; appreciates that many self-employed professionals within the sector have struggled to get financial support; recognises the strenuous efforts by this sector to become Covid-19 secure; and calls on the Chancellor to chop the VAT for the hairdressing, beauty and holistic service industry to 5 per cent in the upcoming budget.