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ANNE VECK SPEAKS WITH

PRIME MINISTER

BORIS JOHNSON ON

APPRENTICESHIPS

Anne Veck took her seat at the (virtual) table for her first Cabinet Office

Meeting to discuss the state of play in the world of hairdressing and

Apprenticeships. The meeting was held on Friday 19th March 2021.

The round table was led by Boris Johnson, senior Cabinet Ministers and the

other business leaders. Each participant was invited in turn to speak and the
topic given was what can Government learn from your experience in skills

and training to help us Build Back Better from the pandemic?

“Organised by the Prime Minister’s Business Team this was an honour to
participate, an opening given to me by the British Beauty Council to

represent the hairdressing voice on this topic.” Anne Veck.

The areas presented by Anne included data that there were just 7,000

entrants in 2020, down 30% previous year. 75% Employers planning to cut

back according to government’s own report. Anne presented ideas how the

government can help to rebuild after Covid?

“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.” by

easing Covid close contact restrictions.

I made the point strongly that hairdressing is an industry with huge career

scope, and yet suffering a skills shortage so it has enormous scope for recruit-

ment and 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 P.M. once we are out of lockdown!!” reported Anne.