Oxfordshire hairdresser Anne Veck speaks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Oxfordshire-based hairdresser Anne Veck took her seat at the (virtual) table for her first Cabinet office meeting earlier this month to discuss the state of play in the world of hairdressing and apprenticeships. The roundtable was led by Boris Johnson, senior Cabinet Ministers and other business leaders.

Each participant was invited in turn to speak, and the topic given was what can government learn from their experience in skills and training to help us Build Back Better from the pandemic? Anne tells us, "Organised by the Prime Minister's business team, this was an honour to participate in, an opening given to me by the British Beauty Council to represent the hairdressing voice on this topic."

The areas presented by Anne included data showing just 7,000 entrants in 2020, down 30% on the previous year and, according to a government report, how 75% of employers were planning to cut back. She tells us, "I acknowledged the government action of the £3,000 grant when new apprentices are recruited and talked about additional and welcome dispensation to make completing hairdressing apprenticeships easier. I made the point that hairdressing is an industry with a huge career scope yet suffering a skills shortage so it's promising for recruitment and a career opportunity. I even managed to squeeze in a pitch for the VAT to be reduced to 5% on services. The one thing I ran out of time to offer was a haircut for the Prime Minister when we're out of lockdown!!"

To book an appointment with Anne, call 01865 727 077 or visit https://www.anneveckhair.com