NHBF backs government crackdown on illegal barbershops

The National Hair & Beauty Federation has welcomed the Government's new crackdown on organised crime operating through high street businesses, while warning that legitimate barbers, salons, beauty businesses and clinics must not be unfairly stigmatised. 

The Home Office has announced a package of measures aimed at tackling rogue businesses linked to money laundering, tax evasion and illegal working. Central to the approach is the creation of a new High Street Organised Crime Unit, designed to coordinate intelligence-led action across law enforcement, Trading Standards and Government departments. 

The NHBF said stronger enforcement is urgently needed to protect compliant high street businesses that pay their taxes, follow the rules, invest in staff and uphold professional and safety standards. It has repeatedly called for a level playing field across hair, beauty, barbering and aesthetics, alongside fair and proportionate regulation. 

The federation has worked closely with Government to campaign for action against tax evasion, illegal working and wider non-compliance, while stressing that enforcement must be intelligence-led to avoid reputational damage to legitimate operators and the sector as a whole. 

Evidence from the NHBF State of the Sector survey highlights the pressures facing compliant businesses. Fair competition and enforcement were identified as major concerns, with respondents warning that suspicious activity and non-compliance can create unfair competition and cause reputational harm. 

The NHBF said the latest announcement should form part of a wider strategy to support high streets and responsible small businesses.