Kerry Larcher, a hairdresser from Hornchurch, East London, is struggling to keep her salon afloat after recent tax increases imposed by the government. The additional £23,000 cost annually has made it difficult for her to maintain staff and pay her bills. With the prospect of losing her business and home daunting, she reports emotional turmoil and exhaustion. The government argues these tax changes are necessary for economic stability, yet Larcher fears it may be too late for many small businesses like hers, leading to potential redundancies and reduced employment opportunities in her community.
"I have been crying myself to sleep because, since October, this has been the worst period of my personal life in 30 years," she said.
"I feel ashamed to get into debt but we are gradually eating through our business reserves and I can't take wages if I don't make a profit."
"I'm having to drastically reduce my overall employee numbers to cut costs just to survive," she said.
Kerry explained she could not afford to take on any new apprentices this year and had been forced to reduce the hours of her current 12 apprentices to the minimum.
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