Massage therapy: Stigma and outdated laws cause licensing fury

Massage therapists in Nottinghamshire are voicing strong opposition to current licensing regulations, deeming them outdated and inequitable. Practitioners in Bassetlaw face an annual fee of approximately £200 for a license, a requirement absent in numerous other regions across the UK. This disparity fuels their argument that current rules are unfairly applied.

Campaigners contend that these regulations, rooted in a 1985 act of Parliament, unfairly associate their profession with historical perceptions of sex work. They emphasize that the industry has evolved, with a greater focus on mental health and well-being. Therapists express frustration at being "tarred with the same brush" as outdated massage parlours.

While the General Council for Manual Therapies acknowledges licensing as a means for councils to regulate businesses in the absence of statutory oversight, they advocate for greater national consistency. Bassetlaw District Council maintains that the licensing is mandated by the 1985 act and denies any link to regulating sex work. They state the cost is less than 60p per day and not a significant barrier.

Therapists argue that the fees offer no tangible benefits to them or their clients, with the council being the sole beneficiary. They are actively engaging with local MPs and councillors to address these concerns, seeking a more standardized and equitable approach to licensing across the country.