10 January 2023
Vote now for your NHBF President and Board members
Voting is now open to elect the next NHBF President and four Board members. It's the first time these posts will be elected by the whole Membership rather than individual regions. This is your chance to have a say in the leadership of the NHBF, so please take the opportunity and make your vote count.
You should already have received an email with your Unique Voter Code, which will give you access to the independent, secure voting platform. There you can see details of all the candidates' standing and their election statements and register your vote. You can vote on the AGM resolutions at the same time.
Voting will remain open until 9.00am on Monday, January 23. The new President and Board members will be formally installed at the Annual General Meeting in London the following Sunday (January 29).
If you have not received an email inviting you to vote, or if you require any assistance using the online voting site, please get in touch with Mi-Voice, the organisation managing the voting process on our behalf, on 02380 763 987 or email support@mi-voice.com.
Energy Bills Discount Scheme for businesses
The Government announces the new "Energy Bills Discount Scheme" for UK businesses, charities, and the public sector from April.
From April 1 2023 to March 31 2024, eligible non-domestic customers who have a contract with a licensed energy supplier will see a unit discount of up to £6.97/MWh automatically applied to their gas bill, and a unit discount of up to £19.61/MWh applied to their electricity bill, except for those benefitting from lower energy prices.
Customers do not need to apply for their discount. As with the current scheme, suppliers will automatically apply reductions to the bills of all eligible non-domestic customers.
Responding to the announcement about the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, Richard Lambert, chief executive at NHBF, said:
"We are relieved that the Government has answered our call and that the hair & beauty sector will at least receive some support via the Energy Bills Discount Scheme. However, many will see the discount swallowed up in the first month or two of the energy price increases they are already facing.
"Energy costs are the first or second largest outgoing for most hair and beauty salons and barbershops and it remains to be seen whether this reduced support will help many keep the doors open and lights on beyond March 2023. Our sector is locked in a fight for survival through the cost of doing business crisis and with 20% of businesses saying that they are likely to downsize or close over the next few months, further support will be needed to ensure that this sector can continue to make its significant contribution to vibrant high streets and community wellbeing."
Read here for further details on the scheme.
Click here for NHBF’s statement.
Tax self-assessment deadline
The deadline to file an HMRC self-assessment tax return is January 31.
You can file your Self-Assessment tax return online if you:
- are self-employed
- are not self-employed, but you still send a tax return, for example, because you receive income from renting out a property
If you did not file a tax return last year, you must register for Self-Assessment before using the online service if:
- you're filing for the first time
- you've sent a tax return in the past but did not send one last tax year
Check if you need to send a Self-Assessment tax return.
How T Levels can help your salon or barbershop - workshop
A workshop exploring the benefits of T Levels for small businesses will take place on January 18 2023, hosted by the Department for Education. It will explore the opportunities that T Levels can offer employers and how they can help plug the skills gap for small businesses.
As an alternative to A levels and apprenticeships, T Levels are a new qualification available to students aged 16 to 19 who have completed their GCSEs. T Levels provide young people with the technical and practical skills necessary to succeed in the workplace.