High Street Businesses 2025-06-12
2025-06-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Brandreth highlighted the economic challenges facing Chester South's high streets, particularly in hospitality, due to high taxes and the pressure on local business owners.
Chester South is home to independent shops and pubs that are vital to community life. Local business owners, especially in hospitality, are feeling significant pressure. The UKHospitality chief executive warned that current tax burdens hold back hospitality growth. Unless eased, will the Government risk undermining communities by failing to support high street businesses?
We have inherited a £22 billion black hole in public finances, necessitating difficult decisions. We are working to help high streets with reforms such as new powers for councils to open vacant properties for rent, over 150 banking hubs, and the Crime and Policing Bill for retail protection. Our upcoming small business strategy will outline further measures.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to ease tax burden were not detailed; instead, emphasis was on inherited financial challenges and broad plans without specifics.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Robertson pointed out the lack of high street banks in Burntwood, which hinders local economic development and regeneration efforts.
Burntwood's high street struggles due to a lack of access to bank branches. What is the Department doing specifically to support better banking access for communities like Burntwood?
We are working with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. The Post Office can also help improve access to services. If it is helpful, I would sit down and discuss options for a hub in Burntwood.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Smith cited concerns from the Retail Jobs Alliance about business rates reforms accelerating high street decline, and warned that Labour's trade union agrees. He also asked about action against shoplifting.
The Retail Jobs Alliance warns that the Government’s changes to business rates will worsen the high streets' situation, reducing footfall and triggering economic downturns. Given the warning from a Labour-affiliated trade union, will the Minister defend high street retailers? Also, what proactive steps are being taken to address shoplifting?
We support business rates reform; our predecessor promised but failed. We aim for permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure. The Chancellor announced initial thoughts in October’s Budget with updates to come. On shoplifting: we commit to an extra 3,000 officers this year, 13,000 by Parliament's end; ending immunity for shoplifters; increasing police powers.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions against shoplifting were not detailed beyond commitments and numbers already known. Labour’s support was addressed only indirectly.
Response accuracy