Beauty Industry

Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about the beauty, aesthetics, spa and wellbeing industry and coronavirus. I appreciate the concerns you raise.

As you will know, on 13 August the Government confirmed that all close contact services, including
treatments on the face such as eyebrow threading and make-up application, would be able to resume from Saturday 15 August. This followed an announcement from the Prime Minister on 31 July that the resumption of these services planned for the next day would be postponed for at least a fortnight.

Beauty businesses make a vital contribution to our high streets and to the UK economy. I pay
tribute to the British Beauty Council and those campaigners who have fought to make sure the industry’s voice is heard at this difficult time. I am concerned, however, that the Government’s approach so far has failed to appreciate the economic importance of the sector, as well as the disproportionate impact restrictions on the industry have had on the livelihoods of women, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic women in particular.

Over 590,000 jobs are linked to the beauty sector. Beauty services contributed over £7 billion in tax revenues in 2018, and there is evidence that the beauty industry contributes more to the economy than motor manufacturing. It is therefore vital that the Government recognises the challenges faced by women working in the industry.

The continuing impact of public health measures on the beauty industry is just one reason why I believe the Government needs to abandon its one-size-fits-all approach to economic support. I am concerned in particular at the blanket withdrawal of the furlough scheme, which means employers will have to pay an average of £550 for each member of staff on furlough from August to October. This only adds to the
burden facing businesses in industries such as the beauty sector. I believe we must fix the furlough scheme to target support at people working in the worst-hit industries, as well as establishing a £1.7 billion fund to support local high street businesses. I can assure you that I will continue to press the Government on this issue.

Thank you once again for contacting me.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP