FHT supports the APPG-BAW inquiry on the value of complementary therapies

The FHT were proud to contribute to the APPG BAW’s new inquiry at the MP Drop-in event on Tuesday 1st November 2022

On the 28th September 2022, the All-Party Parliament Group on Beauty and Wellbeing (APPG BAW) launched an investigation into the value of complementary therapies in supporting the nation’s physical and mental health and wellbeing, combating the pressure currently on the NHS.

The FHT, alongside collaborative sponsors, National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) and SpaBreaks UK, were proud to congregate at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 1st November for the MP Drop-in event, showcasing the benefits of complementary therapies. Thank you to FHT’s Board member, Judith Hadley, for her time and effort on this enquiry. We’d also like to thank FHT Members, Collette State and Sue Bell, for their time and commitment.

The event proved to be a huge success, allowing a selection of MPs to learn more about the complementary therapy sector and see for themselves the long-lasting and significant benefits they can have on the nation’s overall health and wellbeing.

According to 2021 findings, the global complementary and alternative medicine market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 22% until 2028, meaning it’ll be worth more than $404 billion. The industry’s monetary value is just one of the reasons that an inquiry has been launched to investigate the influence of complementary practices on personal and societal health.

The inquiry, co-chaired by Carolyn Harris MP and Judith Cummings MP, will explore how complementary therapies can support everyone’s health, evaluate the skills gap facing the industry, consider how to ensure the viability of businesses and jobs, and review potential government interventions to support the sector’s future. 

The chairs say: “Treatments such as massage can play a vital role in helping those with long-term health conditions manage their symptoms. Equally, highly trained complementary therapists can play a preventative role in helping to identify health conditions in their clients. With our NHS under increasing pressure, it is more important than ever that the benefits of complementary therapies are recognised.”

Do you have evidence that supports the value of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) industry? If so, the deadline for Call for Evidence submissions is midnight on 11^th November.

The cross-party group is exploring these areas:

• the value the sector brings to the UK’s economy and society 
• how complementary treatments can play a preventative role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing, or support those with existing health conditions  
• how the NHS can be better integrated with the sector 
• the skills gap facing the industry and how we can attract talent  
• how has the pandemic changed demand for these services 
• how to ensure the long-term growth of the sector and ensure those that work in it are able to make a good wage. 

If you have something to share, send your submission of no longer than 2 pages to appg-bawUK@dentonsglobaladvisors.com.  

You can find out more about the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty and Wellbeing here.