Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what comparative analysis of safety has been undertaken between barbering and other regulated personal services, such as tattooing, piercing and electrolysis.

Businesses operating in barbering and other personal service activities such as tattooing, piercing and electrolysis are required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations, which place duties on businesses to assess and control the risk for employees and others affected by their work, including members of the public.

While HSE is the policy lead for the hair and beauty sector, responsibility for enforcing health and safety legislation at individual businesses rests with the local authority in which the premises are located.

Where there is evidence that risks are not being properly managed, local authorities may intervene and take appropriate enforcement action to ensure employees and customers are protected.

Local authorities are responsible for a range of statutory public health functions, including the management of communicable disease incidents and outbreaks that may originate in business settings. These functions sit outside HSE's regulatory remit.