Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

High Streets

Monday 23 February 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Minister is committed to reviving high streets with a strategy including 150 million of support for areas in most need.
  • High-street rental auctions are offered as a way to activate vacant premises.
  • The Minister agrees to meet with Baggy Shanker to discuss food delivery concerns in Derby and work across Government Departments to address them.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alison Bennett Lib Dem Mid Sussex
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

Burgess Hill in Alison Bennett's Mid Sussex constituency needs redevelopment despite efforts by the community. A levelling-up fund bid under the previous Conservative government was unsuccessful, and Labour has not supported it through the Pride in Place scheme.

Question

What support can the Minister offer for the regeneration of high streets and town centres, such as that in Burgess Hill, that are unlikely to qualify for Pride in Place funding?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We are committed to reviving high streets, and that means reimagining them. We have a high-street strategy with £150 million of support for the areas that need it the most. We also have high-street rental auctions as a way to get vacant premises up and running.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about support for Burgess Hill was not directly addressed, though general support measures were mentioned.

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Q2 Alison Bennett Lib Dem Mid Sussex
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

Burgess Hill in Alison Bennett's Mid Sussex constituency needs redevelopment despite efforts by the community. A levelling-up fund bid under the previous Conservative government was unsuccessful, and Labour has not supported it through the Pride in Place scheme.

Question

What support can the Minister offer for the regeneration of high streets and town centres, such as that in Burgess Hill, that are unlikely to qualify for Pride in Place funding?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We have a high-street strategy with £150 million of support for the areas that need it the most. We also have high-street rental auctions as a way to get vacant premises up and running.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about support for Burgess Hill was not directly addressed, though general support measures were mentioned.

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Q3 Baggy Shanker Labour (Co-op) Derby South
Context

Concerns have been raised in Derby about the impact of food delivery drivers on high streets and city centres, particularly on St Peter's Street.

Question

In Derby, we have heard concerns about the impact of food delivery drivers on our high streets and the city centre, particularly on St Peter's Street. Will the Minister work across Departments to ensure that food delivery companies are operating safely on our high streets and in our city centres?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

I am committed to working across Departments, and I am happy to meet the hon. Friend to hear the specifics of the issues on his high street and work with colleagues across Government to respond to them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about safety measures for food delivery companies was not directly addressed.

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