Chancellor Rishi Sunak makes special appearance at opening day of British Beauty Week

By Becky Bargh | Published: 8-Sep-2021

MP for Richmond, Yorkshire acknowledged the beauty industry’s £30bn contribution to the UK economy

The UK’s Chancellor Rishi Sunak has made an appearance on the opening day of British Beauty Week, London, UK.

The Conservative MP for Richmond in Yorkshire took to the stage following a selection of talks delivered by partners of British Beauty Week: British Beauty Council and No7 Beauty Company.

In his delivery, he acknowledged the beauty industry’s £30bn contribution to the UK’s economy and said he was “delighted to see so many dynamic and exciting businesses” at the morning’s opening.

Beauty businesses on show at the Covent Garden event include Soap & Glory, Liz Earle, Aromatherapy Associates and No7.

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the beauty industry has deepened its ties with the UK government.

In January, the sector made history after it was granted a dedicated team within government to support the personal care industry.

The move granted personal care to be separated from hospitality and leisure businesses when decisions are made within government.

At the time, the British Beauty Council described the milestone as a ‘game changing move’ forward for the industry.

“When the British Beauty Council formed in 2018 there was no government representation,” said the British Beauty Council’s CEO Millie Kendall.

“This government recognition cements one of the key goals of the British Beauty Council, which forms its inception set out to have the beauty industry recognised at government level; creating the first working definition of the beauty industry and also commissioning an exhaustive report aimed at valuing the contribution of the beauty industry to the UK economy.

“Fast-forward two years and we have achieved this major milestone as an industry and look forward to shining the light on the beauty industry to further showcase and improve this amazing sector in which we all work.”

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