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The mishandling of Covid-19 and its effects on women in the hair and beauty industry
The government’s failures has had devastating impacts on women’s businesses, incomes and independence, writes GEORGINA TRACE
Beautician Alex Smith (26) does the nails of Jules Aspen (40) at the Madame Beauty salon in Chirton, North Tyneside, in July 2020

THIS last year has proved particularly challenging for workers and businesses in the hair and beauty industry, as the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns in Britain have left many unable to work and forced others to close their businesses.

The lack of financial governmental support for this industry has overwhelmingly affected women. A National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) poll shows that of 29,200 salon owners and managers in the UK hair and beauty sector, 82 per cent are female.

Members of the citizen-led organisation, UBI Lab Womxn interviewed women in the hair and beauty industry about their experiences during the Covid pandemic, giving a voice to women who feel as though they have been “forgotten” and disregarded by the government.

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