LABOUR slammed the government’s “half-baked” plans for reopening beauty salons today, saying that they put at risk jobs that are held overwhelmingly by women from ethnic minorities.

Guidance for the sector stipulates that salons and spas must not to provide face treatments, such as facials, laser services, eyelash and eyebrow tinting or make-up application, when they reopen on Monday.

Only services away from the highest-risk zone – in front of the face – should be available, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy says.

The restrictions have been criticised, particularly because barbers have been told that they can trim facial hair under new guidance.

About 270,000 people work in the hair and beauty industry, often in small independent businesses.

Shadow women and equalities minister Marsha de Cordova said: “The government’s half-baked plans for reopening beauty salons put at risk thousands of jobs overwhelmingly held by women, and black, Asian and minority-ethnic women in particular.

Ms de Cordova pointed out that Chancellor Rishi Sunak had ignored Labour’s calls for an assessment of the impact his summer statement would have on different groups.

“With the proposals as they stand, this government will make the crisis even worse for those who have already been disproportionately affected,” she said.

“Yet again this government is failing to target its support at those who need it most.”

Culture minister Caroline Dinenage said she wanted the beauty sector to be able to reopen “as soon as possible.”

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “This is not a decision that is ever taken lightly, but we need to take steps in the right direction and establish what is safe, and work to open up the rest.”