According to a recent report by Habia – the government-approved standards body for hair, beauty, nails and spa – training remains the biggest issue facing beauty salons in the UK.

The report, entitled the Habia Skills Survey for the Beauty Therapy Industry 2007, is based on a survey and consultations conducted by Habia in late 2006 and early 2007.

It provides information on both qualifications and skills issues and shows that, of those questioned, 70 per cent of beauty salons do not have a training budget, while 65 per cent do not have a training plan. A total of 68 per cent cited cost to the employer as the reason.

However, despite this, 28 per cent had spent between £1,000 (1,447 euro, US$2,007) and £5,000 (7,238 euro, US$10,039) on training in the past year alone.

Also, 77 per cent of those surveyed said that the introduction of a statutory minimum wage in the UK had not impacted on their business and 75 per cent expected client numbers to grow, or remain the same for the next year.

Alan Goldsbro, Habia’s chief executive, said: “There are a number of things the spa and beauty industry can be proud of in the new report, though it’s important to use it as a basis for improving things even further.”