Save Our Salons! Hornchurch And Upminster MP Urges Salon Owners To Share Their Experiences Before Parliamentary Debate.

Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez is urging local hair and beauty business owners to share their experiences ahead of a parliamentary debate she has secured on the growing pressures facing the industry.

The debate, set for today-4.30pm on Wednesday 23 April in Westminster Hall, will focus on the impact of recent government policy changes on salons and beauticians, many of whom are now struggling to stay afloat.

Business owners are facing a perfect storm of rising costs, including the withdrawal of business rates relief, increases to employer national insurance contributions, and higher minimum wages. These changes are hitting hard, especially for high street salons, where the labour-intensive nature of the work means limited ability to offset VAT and rising wage bills.

“These are skilled, hardworking people who bring real value to our high streets and communities,” said Lopez. “But they’re now under serious pressure just to keep the lights on. I’ve spoken to local salon owners who are having to let staff go, raise prices, or consider closing altogether.”

Lopez wants business owners in Hornchurch and Upminster to contact her directly at julia.lopez.mp@parliament.ukwith their stories and suggestions ahead of the debate. She’s particularly interested in hearing about how businesses are coping with changes to staffing, tax, apprenticeships, and what support they believe could help the sector recover.

The MP highlighted the case of one local salon that saw its business rates jump from £7,575 to £18,481 in a single year. 

“When around 60% of your costs are wages, and VAT can’t be reclaimed on labour, it creates a unique vulnerability,” she explained.

Beyond the financial burden, Lopez warned of broader implications for the health of high streets and communities. 

“As legitimate businesses are squeezed out, we risk opening the door to less scrupulous operators. There’s been a concerning rise in rogue outfits laundering money or exploiting vulnerable people. That’s not the kind of high street any of us want to see.”

Lopez says the sector plays a crucial role in local economies — offering apprenticeships, flexible work opportunities, and supporting footfall in town centres. She’s also encouraging fellow MPs to use the debate to highlight the impact of these policies in their own constituencies.

She criticised Labour’s record on supporting small businesses, warning that the current policy trajectory risks forcing more salon owners to abandon their premises, lay off staff, or switch to self-employment — often without the protections of traditional employment.

“The debate isn’t just a chance to raise alarm bells,” Lopez added. “It’s about finding solutions. These are the kinds of businesses that give young people their start and help working mums balance their lives. We need to back them — not break them.”

The 23 April debate aims to kickstart a national conversation about how to reform policy in a way that supports the long-term sustainability of hair and beauty businesses. Lopez says the more real-life experiences she can bring to the table, the stronger the case she can make to ministers.

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