We want the Government to introduce a licensing system requiring anyone working as or owning a barber shop to hold a recognised barbering qualification or meet an approved national standard. We believe this protects both customers and qualified barbers.

Barbers use sharp tools and work closely with clients, making hygiene, safety and skill essential. Yet there is no mandatory national qualification or licence to work as or own a barber shop in the UK. We believe the Government should introduce a licensing system with recognised training or competency standards to improve public safety, raise industry standards, and also to prevent any unqualified barbers from owning a shop – meaning barbershops will be run and owned by barbers for the good of the barbers’ profession.