From the 5th of November, England will head into another lockdown for four weeks. That means that all non-essential businesses (including hair and beauty) must close their doors, through to the 3rd December.
To help you get the support you need during this uncertain time, we’ve gathered some details about the different government financial support measures available across the UK.
Updated 6th November
What’s covered
- Furlough Scheme extended
- Self-Employed Income Scheme extended
- Other financial assistance available
- Information on current national restrictions
Furlough scheme extended until March 2021
The UK-wide furlough scheme (Job Retention Scheme) has been extended to the end of March 2021.
You can bring furloughed employees back to work on a part-time basis, as long as they can work from home, or furlough them full-time. Employers must pay National Insurance and employer pension contributions. Employees will receive 80% of their salary for hours not worked up to a maximum of £2,500.
For more details on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or other financial support available to you, check out the Government website.
Self-Employed Income Scheme extended
The government is offering two grants, each available for three-month periods. The online service for making claims will be available from 30 November 2020.
- The first grant will cover 1 November 2020 to 31 January 2021. The government will provide a taxable grant of 55% of average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment and capped at £5,160 in total.
- The grant for November is an increase on the previously announced level of 40% of trading profits to 80%. This returns to 40% for December 2020 and January 2021. This means the total amount of the grant will increase from 40% to 55% of trading profits for 1 November 2020 to 31 January 2020.
- The second grant will cover a three-month period from 1 February 2021 until 30 April 2021. The government has not yet said how much the second grant will be
Other financial assistance available
Salons or barbershops forced to close in England due to local or national restrictions will be eligible for the following:
- For properties with a rateable value of £15k or under: grants of £1,334 per month, or £667 every two weeks.
- For properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k: grants of £2,000 per month, or £1,000 every two weeks.
- For properties with a rateable value of £51k or over: grants of £3,000 per month, or £1,500 every two weeks.
Visit your local authority’s website to find out how to apply.
£1.1bn is also being distributed to local authorities so they can make one-off payments to help support businesses.
Coronavirus loan schemes extended
The government’s Bounce Back Loan and Business Interruption Loan schemes have been extended and applications can now be made until 31 January 2021.
England: National restrictions from 5 November 2020
All personal care businesses must close from Thursday, 5 November 2020 until Wednesday, 2 December. This means the last day that your business can open is Wednesday, 4 November 2020 and, subject to restrictions being lifted, you can reopen your business on Thursday, 3 December 2020. This includes hair salons, barbershops, beauty salons, spas, massage parlours, non-medical acupuncture and tanning salons.
Mobile hair and beauty services must also close.
Find out more on the government website.
Wales: Current restrictions
A two-week ‘fire break’ period started in Wales on Friday, 23 October 2020 and will be in place until the start of Monday, 9 November 2020.
Close contact services including salons and barbershops must close. Mobile hairdressers and therapists must not operate during this period.
The Welsh Government has published FAQs about the fire break.
Scotland: Current restrictions
A new five-tier system of coronavirus restrictions will come into force in Scotland from 2 November 2020. The levels are zero to four.
Effect on hair and beauty
Level 0
- Salons and barbershops can open.
- Mobile close contact services are permitted including both hair and beauty.
Level 1
- Salons and barbershops can open.
- Mobile close contact services are permitted including both hair and beauty.
Levels 2 and 3
- Salons and barbershops can open.
- Mobile hairdressing and barbering can operate.
- Close contact services delivered from a salon, shop or other static sites such as a home treatment room can operate.
- All other types of mobile close contact services are not permitted.
- You can double-check whether or not your business can open by checking which rules apply in your local area via the Scottish Government website.
Level 4
- Salons and barbershops must close.
- Mobile close contact services are not permitted
Find out which level your area is in.
Find out more on the Scottish Government website.
Northern Ireland: Current restrictions
On Friday, 16 October 2020, close contact services such as hairdressers, barbers and beauty therapists were closed for four weeks. Mobile hairdressers, beauty therapists and make-up artists are not allowed to work in clients’ homes.
Find out more on the Northern Ireland Executive website.
Please note, we referred to the following sources when writing this article:
Gov.uk, nidirect.gov.uk, Gov.Wales, Gov.Scot
And we always recommend following the NHBF’s updates, if you don’t already.