The beauty industry has slammed a move by the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to slash business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues. The industry group, which represents thousands of beauty businesses across the UK, branded the move a “slap in the face”. Employment in the beauty industry fell 2.8% last year, according to the British Beauty Council’s recent Value of Beauty report. “We implore the Chancellor to extend equivalent business rates relief across personal care at the upcoming Budget.” The government said that it also intends to reform the wider business rates system – a move welcomed by the British Beauty Council.