SMART Budget Summary – More Support For Businesses Announced

March 5, 2021
The  budget  yesterday seemed relatively well received ahead of the big reopening of many salons and clinics in April.  Here are the key highlights we felt are most relevant;
  • NEW Recovery Loan Scheme  – From 6th April 2021 the Recovery Loan Scheme will provide lenders with a guarantee of 80% on eligible loans between £25,000 and £10 million. This will be available to all businesses, including those who have already received support under the existing COVID-19 guaranteed loan schemes.
  • NEW Restart Grants to Help Businesses Reopen  –  Non-essential retail businesses will receive grants up to £6,000 per premises.  Hospitality and leisure (which includes personal care and gyms) can each receive grants of up-to £18,000 (where they are impacted by restrictions and may not open until later this year).

  • Furlough  – extended to the end of September 2021
    Workers can continuing to receive 80% of their current salary for hours they don’t work due to being furloughed.  This will come in the form of a grant to employers who will make a contribution of 10% of the worker’s salary for unworked hours in July and 20% contribution in August and September.  The £2,500 monthly limit for the grant remains
  • Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)  are closing as planned this is closing on 31st March 2021

  • Minimum wage –  increasing to £8.91 an hour from April 2021
  • Corporation Tax –  will remain at 19% for business profits up-to £50,000.  There will be a tapered increase to 25% for profits over £250,000 from April 2023.
  • VAT Threshold  – This remains at £85,000 until 2024
  • Business Investment Tax Relief & Loss Relief –  A new “super-deduction” tax relief was announced. The normal loss carry-back rules extended from one year to three years for losses of up to £2 million. 
  • Rates Relief –  Eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England will continue to receive 100% business rates relief from 1st April 2021 to 30th June 2021.  66% business rates relief will be applied for the period from 1st July 2021 to 31st March 2022, capped at £2 million per business for properties that were required to be closed on 5th January 2021, or £105,000 per business for other eligible properties.
  • Support for the self-employed  – This has been extended until September
  • Credit updates –  £20 weekly uplift in Universal Credit worth £1,000 a year to be extended for another six months.  Working Tax Credit claimants will get £500 one-off payment 
  • Tax-Free Allowance  – Basic allowance will increase to £12,570 from April 2021, and then it will stay at that level until 2026.  The Higher Rate threshold will increase to £50,270 and will then also be frozen to 2026.
  • National Insurance –  In the 2021/22 tax year the new National Insurance thresholds are: Primary Threshold/Lower Profits Limit increases to £9,568, Upper Earnings Limit (UEL)/Upper Profits Limit increases to £50,270, No changes were announced to the rates of Income Tax or National Insurance
We hope that the news of further grants and on-going support via schemes such as Furlough and Rates relief, this is positive news ahead of the re-opening.  With further discretionary grants available from local councils, the key is having a strong business plan for when you open your doors.  
 
If you’re looking at ways to maximise your profits, our  SMART  Consultants are available to show you how our range of products can completely transform your business.  Offer more treatments for a higher price, taking less time.  That’s  SMART  thinking!
By Dee Malan March 3, 2026
Skin Regeneration: The Cornerstone of Modern Beauty Over the last decade, the beauty industry has undergone a significant transformation. Once dominated by invasive procedures and surface-level solutions, today’s market is increasingly focused on skin regeneration — helping the skin repair, renew, and rebuild itself naturally. The science of skin renewal has existed for many years, but it is only in the last 10–15 years that these ideas have become part of everyday professional beauty treatments. Advances such as microneedling, LED light therapy, skin boosters and collagen-stimulating treatments have moved from specialist use into mainstream salon environments. What was once seen as advanced or medical is now part of modern beauty — focused on healthier skin, not just younger-looking skin. The Beauty Industry’s Evolution Fifteen years ago, beauty was largely defined by topical skincare, cosmetic coverage, and stronger anti-ageing treatments. Today, the industry sits at the crossroads of science, wellness, and technology. In 2025, the global skin rejuvenation market was valued at approximately USD 2.17 billion and is expected to exceed USD 5.2 billion by 2035, driven by growing demand for non-invasive, skin-renewing treatments. Alongside this, the non-invasive aesthetics market — including lasers, skin tightening, injectables, and advanced facial treatments — was valued at around USD 22.7 billion in 2025 and is forecast to grow beyond USD 43 billion by 2035. These figures highlight a clear shift: consumers are moving away from surgery and harsh procedures and toward treatments that work with the skin’s natural processes and require little to no downtime. Skin regeneration has become a foundation of modern beauty rather than a niche concept. Why Skin Regeneration Matters Now Several key forces are shaping today’s focus on skin regeneration: 1. Advances in Technology Today’s devices and products can safely encourage collagen production, improve skin renewal, and support healing without invasive procedures. LED therapy, gentle controlled treatments and bioactive ingredients have made regeneration more accessible, comfortable, and practical for salon use. 2. The Rise of Preventative Beauty Clients are starting treatments earlier — not to dramatically change their appearance, but to maintain and protect their skin over time. This shift toward prevention has made regenerative treatments more appealing than corrective ones. 3. Wellness and Skin Health Culture Beauty is now closely linked to overall wellbeing. Skin is seen as something to be supported and strengthened, not forced into change. Healthy skin is the new beauty goal. 4. Social Media and Visibility High-definition cameras, video calls and social media have increased awareness of skin texture, tone and quality. Clients want treatments that improve their skin naturally — without looking like they’ve “had work done.” From Quick Fixes to Smart Fixes Today’s beauty consumer is informed, busy and result-focused. They are asking: How soon can I get back to work? Will this hurt? When will I see results? Is this good for my skin long-term? This reflects a wider cultural shift toward instant results combined with comfort and convenience. People want effective treatments, but they also want them to fit into real life. Salons are seeing growing demand for treatments that improve the skin gradually and naturally, rather than aggressive changes. The trend is moving toward enhancing what you already have, instead of trying to completely alter it. What This Means for Salons For salon owners, this evolution creates both opportunity and responsibility. Clients are more knowledgeable and more selective than ever. They expect their beauty professional to understand: What a treatment does Why it is being recommended What results they can realistically expect How it supports long-term skin health Partnering with a supplier who understands today’s consumer — and who can provide regenerative solutions that are safe, comfortable, and proven — is key. Not just products and devices, but education, training and guidance. The Smart Group Difference At The Smart Group, one of our core beliefs is simple: we are consumer-led, not manufacturer-driven. We don’t follow trends just because they are new. We listen to what clients are asking for and then bring forward products, technologies and training that meet those needs responsibly. We believe: Skin regeneration should support long-term skin health, not just short-term results Treatments should be effective and comfortable Education and outcomes matter just as much as innovation This people-first mindset reflects the very changes shaping the beauty industry today. Looking Forward Skin regeneration is not a passing trend — it is the future of beauty. As technology and skin science continue to evolve, the salons that succeed will be those that focus on evidence-based, low-downtime, high-impact treatments. For salon owners, the question is no longer whether skin regeneration will shape the next decade of beauty — but how ready you are to be part of that future.
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