Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

High Street Businesses

Thursday 5 September 2024 · 6 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 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is working to address late payments, retail crime, and unfair business rates to support high street businesses.
  • The Government has a five-point plan including a fairer business rates system and tackling retail crime, which Treasury colleagues are implementing.
  • The Minister agrees to draw the Liberal Democrat MP's comments to MHCLG colleagues to update him on Eastbourne's high street businesses benefiting from the towns fund.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlighted the decline of high street businesses in his constituency and criticised the previous government's economic policies.

Question

What steps is your Department taking to help support high street businesses facing financial difficulties due to late payments, retail crime, and unfair business rates?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

We are working with businesses to breathe new life into high streets by stamping out late payments, tackling retail crime, and seeking to create a fairer business rates system.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions and timelines not provided; vague statements used

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Q2 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The MP praised his town's special high street businesses but noted their financial strain and criticized the previous government.

Question

What will your Government do differently to support high street businesses such as Rose's café in Shefford and Jamie's Shoe Repairs, which have been struggling due to economic policies?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

We set out a five-point plan in opposition including a fairer business rates system and tackling retail crime, for which Treasury colleagues are working hard.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or timelines given; only referenced future work

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Q3 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The MP noted Eastbourne's selection as a towns fund beneficiary but is awaiting further instructions from the government.

Question

Will you work with your MHCLG colleagues to update me on whether Eastbourne's high street businesses will benefit from the £20 million towns fund investment?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

The towns fund is managed by MHCLG; I will draw the hon. Gentleman's comments to their attention and ensure a meeting with him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No clear timeline or action plan provided

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Q4 Gareth Snell Labour (Co-op) Stoke-on-Trent Central
Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The MP highlighted the need for a cross-Government approach to support high street businesses.

Question

Can you provide more details on conversations with other Departments to ensure comprehensive support for high streets through various Government policies?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

We are working with Treasury and Home Office colleagues on issues such as fairer business rates systems and retail crime reduction.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific details or timelines provided; only general statements made

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Q5 Ashley Fox Con Bridgwater
Business & Trade
Context

The MP noted that SMEs now face thousands of pounds in fines for not upholding new employment reforms.

Question

Will you consider exempting SMEs from any financial sanctions by the fair work agency, to avoid further burden on small businesses?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

We have consulted widely with the business community; our reforms received support and we will continue working with small businesses on plan details.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific exemption or timeline mentioned; general statements provided instead

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Q6 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Business & Trade
Context

The MP expressed concern over outdated and damaging business rates systems affecting high street businesses.

Question

Can you assure us that comprehensive business rates system reform is coming soon, to support small businesses in desperate need?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

Treasury colleagues are working on introducing a fairer business rates system and will bring forward proposals in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or action plan provided; vague statements used

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