Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: High Street Recovery

Monday 14 June 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government announced a package of support for high streets, including planning easements and funding, totalling more than 385 billion.
  • Cheshire East Council is urged to remove barriers on Knutsford high street to support local businesses.
  • VAT rate reduction to 5% for certain residential renovations is in place to encourage development and regeneration.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Warburton Con
Economy Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The MP asks about measures to support local high streets following the impact of the pandemic.

Question

What steps he is taking to help high streets recover from the covid-19 outbreak. I am concerned about the economic recovery of local high streets and the need for government intervention in this regard.

Answer from Robert Jenrick

As we embark on what we all hope will be a great British summer, this Government have announced a vital package of support for our high streets, from planning easements to funding support. Taken together, we are seeing more than £385 billion of support for our businesses and high streets. With our planning reforms, we will allow our high streets to adapt and thrive, see outdoor markets spring up, and al fresco dining flourish.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not specify the exact measures or funding related to recovery post-covid.

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Q2 Esther McVey Con Tatton
Housing Local Government
Context

The MP questions the Cheshire East Council's policy of placing barriers on car parking spaces, which she believes is detrimental to local businesses.

Question

Cheshire East Council continues to keep unnecessary barriers in place on the high street in Knutsford, blocking off the car parking spaces and damaging local businesses. Does my right hon. Friend agree that Cheshire East Council should be helping local businesses and not literally putting barriers in their way?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that bringing back people to their towns and high streets is vital, including to the one that I know well in Knutsford. Local authorities should be doing everything they can to make those high streets as welcoming as possible. Covid-19 guidance and our al fresco dining revolution should not come at the cost of despoiling otherwise beautiful high streets such as that in Knutsford.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address whether barriers will be removed or how local authorities can assist businesses without damaging them.

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Q3 Sara Britcliffe
Taxation Housing
Context

The MP discusses the need to renovate dilapidated housing in Accrington using the levelling-up fund, asking about VAT implications.

Question

First, I thank the Secretary of State for recently visiting Accrington to discuss what a difference the levelling-up fund could make to my constituency. We know that it is important to build more houses, but on that visit we also spoke about our dilapidated housing stock both in the town centre and across Hyndburn and Haslingden. Will he agree to meet me to discuss the VAT placed on renovation and repairs for old housing stock and look at the potential for removing this as a trial in certain areas to encourage builders to rejuvenate old housing stock?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

My hon. Friend will know that such decisions are for the Chancellor to make. We have in place a reduced rate of VAT at 5% for certain residential renovations to encourage development and incentivise regeneration. However, she makes an important point that of course I would be happy to discuss with her.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not confirm any meeting or specific action on reducing/reforming VAT on renovation work.

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Q4 David Warburton Con
Economy Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The MP highlights the economic and community importance of local high streets, especially post-covid recovery.

Question

Our splendid market towns in fabulous Somerton and Frome are driven by their high streets. They are the engine room of the local economy and the hub of the community, as I am sure everybody saw at the fabulous eat:Castle Cary festival last month. However, the past year has obviously been extraordinarily difficult, so does my right hon. Friend agree that support for high street businesses is essential both to keep our communities strong and to achieve a swift economic recovery?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

I completely agree with my hon. Friend. I urge all his constituents to get back to their local high streets to support the shops and hospitality businesses that he mentions and make the most of the sunshine in Somerset. We have seen some positive signs, with Springboard data reporting an increase of over 17% in people shopping on their high streets in the recent half-term break.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address specific support measures or commitments for post-covid recovery.

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