Would hairdressing industry lose under labour?

The National Hairdressers Federation has reacted with dismay to the prospect of another term of Labour government, following a recent Sunday Times poll which showed the gap between the Conservatives and Labour had depleted to just two percentage points.

"Labour has done nothing for the hairdressing industry except make our business lives more difficult and from the look of things is promising only to make things worse," said NHF secretary general, Eileen Lawson. "What we would like Labour do is the same as we would like any government to undertake. That is to really reduce red tape, not just substitute one piece for another, and to excuse micro businesses from elements of the burdens of employment law."

Continued Eileen: "We would like the government to make it easier to employ people. To encourage business development through tax breaks aimed at the small business sector rather than funding initiatives that have proven inappropriate in some cases and impossible to access in others, and to stop interfering with more and more rules and regulations that make the high street an impossible place to run a thriving business.

The hairdressing sector forms the backbone of the small business economy and it's time politicians started turning their words that the country's future growth depends on small businesses into the actions that will actually help us.

Others in the industry are similarly unimpressed with the prospect of another Labour term.

Said Ken Main, co-owner of Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty, Glasgow: "I believe that the Labour Government are being conned by the banks. Business growth has come to a virtual halt as the banks are effectively closed and not supporting new growth for existing businesses, while they attempt to recuperate their massive losses.

"Taxation has to rise under a Labour rule, so bring in a government that encourages growth and support to small businesses - after all more than 80% of the UK's business are SME's (small to medium sized enterprises). The government needs us to grow and beat the recession."

Said Hellen Ward, of Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa: "The prospect of another labour government fills me with dread - I really think for small to medium sized businesses that make up the vast majority of Britain's employers (over 70% I believe), a new government is vital. We need less onus of responsibility and more empathy and we need it now.'

Ian Davies of Ocean Hairdressing in Cardiff offers a different perspective: "I wouldn't be too upset if Labour gain power again - I think they offer a more believable leadership. They got us into this mess and I think they have the best ideas to get us out of it."