Hairdressers across the UK have accused politicians of sexism, claiming government ministers are ignoring calls for a VAT cut to save their struggling sector because most salon workers are women.
More than 2,000 salon industry professionals have signed a letter calling on the Government to take immediate action to prevent further business closures and job losses by halving Value Added Tax (VAT) to 10 per cent at the upcoming Budget.
Salon owners say the hair and beauty industry is facing a crisis, but ministers are refusing to listen while more male-dominated commercial sectors have received government support.
Hellen Ward, who runs a salon with her husband that has styled the Princess of Wales's hair, expressed deep concern over the lack of support for the trade.
"I am extremely concerned as to why the Government repeatedly ignores our female-dominated sector," said Ward, who is co-founder of the Salon Employers Association and vice president of the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs.
"We are one of the largest employers of women in our industry," Ward added. "Hospitality seems to get far more support, so it does make one question whether it's jobs for the boys?"
Research by CBI Economics, the economic analysis division of the Confederation of British Industry, shows that around 84 per cent of those employed in the hairdressing industry are women.
Rising costs and declining apprenticeships
Higher taxes have pushed salons to turn to self-employed models, where hairdressers rent a chair in a salon rather than working as staff employees.
The hairdressing sector also says its traditional role of offering young people their first jobs sweeping up hair or learning as an apprentice is now in peril.
Analysis conducted on behalf of the British Hair Consortium reveals that the sector lost 21,400 jobs in the profession last year. That loss represented nearly a quarter of its employees and was the highest of any profession.
Industry figures also show that salon apprenticeships have plummeted by 70 per cent since 2025 and are now forecast to completely disappear over the next few years.
Hairdressers suffer from higher labour costs compared to many other commercial enterprises on the High Street.
Jo Moulton, who runs Sorella salon with her sister in Knaphill, near Woking in Surrey, questioned whether the government would treat a male-dominated sector in the same manner.
"If we were a predominantly male industry, would the government have allowed employment and apprenticeships to deteriorate for this long without intervening? I don't think they would," Moulton told This is Money.
She said she has been struggling with the sky-high cost of employing staff following sharp increases to employers' National Insurance contributions and wages after the 2025 Budget.
Cost pressures mean she has had to hire two apprentices this year instead of three, as well as offering them fewer working hours.
Unfair competition and High Street revival
Moulton warned that current employment tax structures penalise traditional business models, allowing salons that use self-employed staff to undercut firms like hers.
"You could have a self-employed person that doesn't have to charge 20 per cent VAT and doesn't have to pay employer National Insurance, and they can charge so much less," she said.
Urging the Chancellor to take action at this month's Budget, Moulton said salons can be key to the push to revive High Streets and boost youth employment.
Official figures show there were 981,000 people aged 16 to 24 who were not in employment, education or training (NEET) in June.
The hairdressing industry is well placed to help address youth unemployment because it is resistant to changes in the job market caused by artificial intelligence.
"You can't AI a hair cut," Moulton said, noting that personal grooming requires human craft that software cannot replace.
"I kind of just feel like nobody's really listening," Moulton added. "This is a crisis, and if something isn't done now, it's going to be too late. I do think it's a bit make or break, this budget. If they can be bold and make some big decisions, it can save the sector."
Disparity with hospitality tax relief
Salon owners have pointed to targeted tax cuts for hospitality businesses as evidence of unequal government backing.
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham offered pubs and small live music venues a 20 per cent discount on their business rates from April 2027 this summer.
In January, former Chancellor Rachel Reeves also announced a 15 per cent business rates discount for pubs and music venues, causing dismay among other High Street firms including hotels, salons and shops.
Collette Osborne, owner of the Nottingham-based Hairven salon, voiced frustration over the government prioritizing hospitality over female-led businesses.
"Over 80 per cent of the people working in our industry are female, yet the only sector apparently being lined up for tax reform is hospitality," Osborne said.
"That's left the majority of female salon owners and employees wondering 'why are women not being taken seriously in business by the Labour Party - just how sexist are they', as it really feels like that," Osborne added.
Treasury response
A HM Treasury spokesperson defended the government's support measures for commercial premises across the country.
"Hair and beauty businesses play an important role in supporting jobs, apprenticeships and thriving high streets across the UK, which is why we're backing them through business rates reform, including a £4.3 billion support package to limit bill rises," the Treasury spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added: "As has always been the case, decisions on tax are a matter for the Chancellor to set out at fiscal events, rather than routinely commenting on rumour, speculation or proposals."
