BIZBBC NewsMON 26 OCT 2026 / 5:48 AM CDT

Salon owners urge Budget VAT cut as staffing pressures grow

After 22 years running a salon, Marcus Perkins says he is increasingly worried about the future of the hair and beauty industry.

Rising costs are making it harder for businesses to employ staff and invest in apprenticeships, he says, while more salons are turning to self-employed models to survive.

"Seeing salons close on the high street is very scary," he said. "I'm very scared myself. Luckily it hasn't happened yet but who knows what the future holds?"

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Salon owners urge Budget VAT cut as staffing pressures grow

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Healey to shield low-income pensioners from income tax in the Budget

What is the Budget and what could be in it?

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