Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

High Street Businesses

Thursday 31 October 2024 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Revitalising high streets is a priority for the Government, with discussions across Whitehall to support businesses over the long term.
  • Further steps will be taken with the Chancellor to ensure a level playing field for businesses in Sheffield Central.
  • Plans are being introduced to bring vacant units back into use through high street rental auctions, making town centres more accessible and affordable for tenants.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Pinto-Duschinsky Lab Hendon
Crime & Law Enforcement Business & Trade
Context

The MP asked about recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues regarding support for local business.

Question

What recent discussions has the Government had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting high street businesses?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

Revitalising our high streets is a priority for this Government, and I and the Secretary of State have spoken to colleagues across Whitehall to ensure that we are working together to create better conditions over the long term for high street businesses to thrive. That means addressing antisocial behaviour and crime, rolling out banking hubs, stamping out late payments, empowering communities to make the most of vacant properties, strengthening the post office network, reforming the apprenticeship levy and, as the Chancellor confirmed yesterday, reforming business rates.

Answered
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Q2 Abtisam Mohamed Lab Sheffield Central
Taxation Business & Trade
Context

The MP asked about further steps to ensure a fairer business rates system.

Question

There are just short of 5,500 businesses in Sheffield Central, and more than 80% of them are micro-businesses. Many welcome the announcement of permanently lower business rates for hospitality, retail and leisure properties from 2026-27. What further steps will be taken with the Chancellor to create a fairer system?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her question, and I think this is the first time I have had the chance to congratulate her on her election to this House. She is absolutely right that if we are to see our high streets thrive, we need to ensure there is a genuinely level playing field for businesses online and those on the high street. As the Chancellor announced yesterday, to deliver that pledge we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties from 2026-27. To fund that, we intend to introduce a large business multiplier from 2026-27, which will apply a higher rate on the most valuable properties.

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Q3 Sojan Joseph Lab Ashford
Business & Trade
Context

The MP asked about steps being taken to empower local communities.

Question

Small and independent shops are the lifeblood of our high streets, but far too many have been feeling the squeeze over recent years. I welcome the measures announced in yesterday's Budget regarding business rates reform. What are the Government doing to empower local communities to acquire empty units?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

Again, I congratulate my hon. Friend on his election to this House. Colleagues across Whitehall are bringing forward plans to introduce high street rental auctions, which will bring vacant units back into use. That should make town centres more accessible and affordable for tenants.

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Q4 David Pinto-Duschinsky Lab Hendon
Business & Trade
Context

The MP asked about steps to help businesses recruit more skilled staff.

Question

We are blessed with some fantastic high streets in Hendon, such as Mill Hill Broadway, Station Road and the High Street in Edgware. However, when I talk to business owners, they all too often tell me that they are struggling to find and retain the staff they need to grow successfully. What steps is the Department taking to make sure small businesses can get the skilled staff they need not just to survive but to thrive?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

I welcome my hon. Friend's question, and I know the high streets in his constituency that he mentioned, as they are very close to Britain's greatest constituency. He will be aware that we have already taken steps to help businesses recruit more skilled staff.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific commitments or actions for recruiting skilled staff beyond a general reference.

How: We Have Already Taken Steps, He Will Be Aware

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Q5 Mims Davies Con East Grinstead and Uckfield
Economy Local Government
Context

The MP asked about the Government's response to anti-growth measures by local councils.

Question

The anti-growth coalition on Mid Sussex district council is bringing in Sunday, bank holiday and evening town centre parking charges. Will the Minister reiterate to councils that such measures will do exactly the opposite of what they aim to achieve?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

I gently suggest to the hon. Lady that those making up the anti-growth coalition are sat on her side of the House, and I gently point out to her that the highest number of businesses to go bust for 30 years was under the Conservative party last year.

Not addressed: The answer did not address whether such measures by councils would be counterproductive.

How: Gently Suggest, Gently Point Out

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Q6 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Business & Trade
Context

The MP asked about opportunities to speak to local chambers of trade.

Question

There are many attractive high street businesses in Newtownards, such as Wardens, Knotts Bakery and the family butcher. Has the Minister had the opportunity to talk to the chamber of trade in Newtownards?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

The hon. Gentleman is an assiduous champion for his constituency in this House. If he wants to bring his chamber of commerce to meet me to discuss issues in his constituency in more detail, I will happily make time to meet him and them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not confirm whether there had been opportunities to speak to the chamber of trade in Newtownards.

How: If He Wants, I Will Happily

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Q7 Clive Jones Lib Dem Wokingham
Economy Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The number of people shopping on high streets in Wokingham has not returned to pre-COVID levels, and several anchor stores such as Marks & Spencer and banks have closed. The reduction in retail, hospitality, and leisure business rates relief from 75% to 40% is seen negatively by local businesses.

Question

In my constituency, the number of people shopping on our high streets has not returned to pre-covid levels, and we have lost anchor stores such as Marks & Spencer, and several banks. The Government urgently need to save our high streets, but the reduction in retail, hospitality and leisure business rates relief from 75% to 40% will come as bad news for thousands of businesses. When will the Government deliver a fundamental reform of business rates to save our high streets and end the penalising of productive investment?

Answer from Gareth Thomas

We have started the process of reforming business rates. We are introducing permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure from 2026-27. We have listened to businesses and kept business rates relief, and we are opening up opportunities for businesses to come forward with ideas for future reform of business rates.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline or full details on the fundamental reform of business rates requested were not provided.

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