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Celebrity hairdresser Nicky Clarke blasts Rachel Reeves’ tax raid as salons warn of jobs crisis for high streets
He warned many salons will stop offering vital training to the next generation of stylists
CELEBRITY hairdresser Nicky Clarke has blasted Rachel Reeves’ tax raid - warning it could spell disaster for Britain’s high streets.
The star stylist told The Sun the Chancellor’s National Insurance hike will make it impossible for salons to afford staff and apprentices.
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He warned it’s already squeezing small businesses and could force many to stop offering vital training to the next generation of stylists.
He said: “Raising National Insurance on apprentices and young adults at the start of their careers is bad government.
“It puts pressure on employers, reduces opportunity and risks trapping more young people on benefits.”
His brother - fellow A-list hair guru Michael Van Clarke - said spiralling costs had already forced them to pull back on hiring, and warned many salons simply won’t survive the squeeze.
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He said: "Some figures put the ones in danger at 30-40 per cent...
“I think it's more likely that some will adapt, and you will probably see a 15 per cent shrinkage in that section of the economy, and sadly, a lot of them will just go into the black economy because they just can't make it work with such high taxation."
The famous pair were joined by Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride, who popped in for a trim - while slamming the Chancellor.
He raged: "If you make the cost of employing people more expensive, and if you make it more difficult, more risky, it's not surprising that employers are less likely to take them on...
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“That's why it's becoming increasingly difficult, particularly for younger workers, female workers, part-time workers - often in sectors like hairdressing, retail, hospitality, leisure - to get those.”
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