New covid-19 financial support: what’s available for hair salons?

As Omicron continues to impact businesses in the run-up to Christmas, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak has issued new financial support grants and schemes to help businesses who have faced disruption during the new variant, including hair salons and those in the personal care sector. Below are the new Covid-19 financial support schemes eligible for hair salons.

What are the Government's new Covid-19 financial support schemes for hair salons?

Businesses within the personal care sector are eligible to apply for the following initiatives.

Additional Restrictions Grants

The Government has announced an additional £100m in Additional Restrictions Grants, which can be accessed through your local authority in England only. A Government statement said: "Around 200,000 businesses will be eligible for business grants which will be administered by local authorities and will be available in the coming weeks." Each local authority has their own application criteria. Find your local authority here for more information.

Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme

The Government has also reintroduced the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme for Covid-related absences that have affected businesses. This scheme is UK wide. The Sick Pay Rebate is eligible to businesses with fewer than 250 employees. Employers can be reimbursed for the cost of Statutory Sick Pay for up to two weeks per employee. Claims can be made retrospectively from mid-January 2022. You can use the government’s guide to find our if your business is eligible for support. Prime minister Boris Johnson said: “With the surge in Omicron cases, people are rightly exercising more caution as they go about their lives, which is impacting our hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors at what is typically the busiest time of the year. "That’s why we’re taking immediate action to help with an extra £1 billion in grants to these industries and reintroducing our Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme. "I urge people across the country to please get boosted now to secure vital protection for yourselves, your loved ones and your communities.” Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak added: “We recognise that the spread of the Omicron variant means businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors are facing huge uncertainty, at a crucial time. "So we’re stepping in with £1 billion of support, including a new grant scheme, the reintroduction of the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme and further funding released through the Culture Recovery Fund. "Ultimately the best thing we can do to support businesses is to get the virus under control, so I urge everyone to Get Boosted Now.” Richard Lambert, chief executive of the NHBF said: “We welcome this additional financial support for our industry and urge salon owners to check as soon as possible if they are eligible for a grant from their Local Authority. For many people this could be the vital help they need to save their salons from the devasting impact of the Omicron Variant.” The news comes after the NHBF called for more support from the Government as salons face numerous cancellations.