Richard Lochhead MSP (pictured) has written to the UK Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, ahead of the UK Government’s budget on 3rd March calling for a cut in VAT for hair and beauty salons to help the industry recover from Covid-19.
Mr Lochhead has backed the Save Our Salons campaign, which calls for a reduction in VAT from 20% to 5% for salons across the UK.
Moray’s MSP has been contacted by many local businesses in the sector that have been hit hard by coronavirus and are looking for support to ensure salons in our communities can bounce back once restrictions allow.
Commenting Mr Lochhead said:
“There’s no doubt that hair and beauty salons are an essential part of our local high streets and are incredibly important to our local economy.
“The sector has been heavily impacted by covid and the restrictions we’ve had to put in place to keep our communities safe, and it’s vital that the sector has the support it needs to recover quickly.
“The Scottish Government has sought to ensure that businesses in this sector have access to financial support whilst restrictions are in place, including temporary closure grants and another 12 months of business rates relief.
“However, those working in the industry locally have made it clear to me that a VAT reduction would make a huge difference to their business and would go a long way to ensuring they can bounce back.
“On behalf of hair and beauty salons across Moray, I’ve written to the Chancellor to make my support for this campaign and I’ve urged him to chop the VAT to 5% for this important sector.”
