Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

High Street Businesses

Thursday 12 June 2025 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government inherited a 22 billion public finance deficit requiring tough decisions
  • Department works with banks to establish 350 banking hubs by end of Parliament
  • Minister aims for permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Aphra Brandreth Con Chester South
Economy Business & Trade Local Government
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Gareth Thomas)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to ease tax burden were not detailed; instead, emphasis was on inherited financial challenges and broad plans without specifics.

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Q2 Dave Robertson Lab Lichfield
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

Robertson pointed out the lack of high street banks in Burntwood, which hinders local economic development and regeneration efforts.

Question

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?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Gareth Thomas)

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.

Answered
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Q3 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Crime & Law Enforcement Economy Employment
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Gareth Thomas)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions against shoplifting were not detailed beyond commitments and numbers already known. Labour’s support was addressed only indirectly.

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