Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Independent Retailers

Thursday 17 July 2025 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Lee Barron questioned the Minister about the Labour Government's commitment to reforming business rates to support high streets.
  • Robbie Moore inquired whether the Government recognizes that their policies are stifling growth.
  • The Minister acknowledged difficult decisions in the Budget but attributed the necessity to a 22 billion deficit issue mentioned by the Conservative Party.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lee Barron Lab Corby and East Northamptonshire
Business & Trade
Context

Retail and wholesale jobs account for the largest share of employment in Corby and East Northamptonshire, supporting thousands of jobs.

Question

Will the Minister confirm that, unlike the last Tory Government, which promised to reform business rates but did absolutely nothing, this Labour Government are committed to delivering a fairer business rates system to support the vibrant high streets that our communities deserve?

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

I know that Northamptonshire has a thriving retail and wholesale sector, and I commend my hon. Friend for championing the jobs and businesses in his constituency. He rightly says that the Conservatives promised to reform business rates. What he did not say was that they promised many times to reform business rates and never did so. We have committed to permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. The Government are committed to publishing soon an interim report that sets out further details on the direction of travel, and confirmation of our plans will come at the autumn Budget.

Answered
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Q2 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The owners of Bababing in Keighley constituency have opened new premises but face challenges due to recent government decisions.

Question

Do the Government recognise that they are stifling growth, and if so, what are they doing about it?

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

I welcome the establishment of Bababing in the hon. Member’s constituency. I recognise that difficult decisions had to be taken in the Budget. I am sure he has pointed out to the owners of Bababing that those difficult decisions were taken as a direct result of the £22 billion black hole that his party left us to tackle. Our small business strategy will set out a range of measures we are taking to support businesses, which I hope will help Bababing and other businesses in his constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address the stifling impact on growth mentioned by the questioner but acknowledged difficult decisions were made due to budget constraints left by previous government.

How: Redirected Blame, Acknowledged Difficulty Without Providing Concrete Actions

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