AN OXFORD hairdresser took her virtual seat at a table to speak in a cabinet office meeting with Boris Johnson.

Anne Veck, who runs Anne Veck hair salon in Oxford, told the Prime Minister about the world of hairdressing and apprenticeships as the country tries to 'Build Back Better' from the pandemic.

Lockdown: What are the new rules in England from March 29?

Other business leaders were also invited to the meeting on March 19 and each participant was invited in turn to speak.

Mr Johnson asked them how the Government can learn from their experience in skills and training to help the country recover from Covid.

Ms Veck, who said it was an 'honour' to participate' after the British Beauty Council gave her the opening, said: "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.

Oxford Mail: Anne Veck met Boris Johnson virtually

"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 recruitment and career opportunity.

ALSO READ: Struggling beauty salons call for tax break

"I even managed to squeeze in a pitch for the VAT to be reduced to five per cent on services. The one thing I ran out of time to offer was a haircut for the Prime Minister once we are out of lockdown."

The hairdresser told Mr Johnson that there were 7,000 new apprentices in 2020, down 30 per cent from the previous year and that 75 per cent of employers plan to cut back according to the Government's own report.

She said the Prime Minister listened carefully and was 'positive' without being specific in his responses regarding more training and support for apprenticeships for hairdressing as well as other industries.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.