The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty, Aesthetics and Wellbeing (APPG) has published a Call of Action following its inquiry into the aesthetic sector’s recovery from COVID-19.
MPs Carolyn Harris and Judith Cummins launched the inquiry following concerns from industry leaders that the sector was struggling to return to normality after the pandemic.
The Group found many businesses were facing staff shortages and inadequate funding for apprentices, and have made three recommendations to the government. These included the suggestion to broaden the apprenticeship incentives for employers, in particular for small and micro businesses; include further accessible and broader holistic and contemporary qualifications in the National Skills Fund; and to recognise the crucial role of holistic and contemporary therapies.
The MPs commented,
“We launched this inquiry due to concerns we were hearing from the industry
about serious staff shortages, a continued deficit in consumer confidence and a
lack of support for wellbeing services that play an essential role in
supporting our overstretched NHS. We strongly urge the government to implement
the recommendations and to ensure that this vital sector can once again become
an economic powerhouse and continue to support all of our wellbeing.”
