Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Illegal High Street Trading

Monday 8 June 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has created a high street organised crime unit to tackle illegal trading.
  • Greater Manchester is one of three hotspot areas for an enhanced operational crackdown.
  • 30 million has been invested to fund more officers and a nationwide unit in the National Crime Agency.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jo Platt Labour (Co-op) Leigh and Atherton
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Dodgy shops are negatively impacting local communities, leading to calls for immediate action. The MP has launched a national campaign focusing on this issue.

Question

We welcome the creation of the Government's high street organised crime unit, and in particular its focus on strengthened partnership working between enforcement agencies. In Leigh and Atherton, communities can see that commitment, but they are asking when they will see action on dodgy shops operating in plain sight. Given the national campaign I have launched with colleagues, will the Minister set out when enforcement will begin locally, how partnerships will be delivered and how we will ensure that these criminal enterprises are shut down without delay?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

First, I welcome my hon. Friend's important work in this area. Greater Manchester is one of three hotspot areas selected for an enhanced operational crackdown in addition to the nationwide campaign. I cannot comment on specific dates due to operational sensitivities, but the public can expect to see the start of a major offensive against dodgy shops beginning this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline and partnership details not provided due to operational sensitivities

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Q2 Jo Platt Labour (Co-op) Leigh and Atherton
Crime & Law Enforcement Business & Trade
Context

Dodgy shops are negatively impacting local communities, leading to calls for immediate action. The MP has launched a national campaign focusing on this issue.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle illegal trading on high streets.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

Dodgy shops are blighting our high streets—we all see them in our constituencies—so this Government have announced a new high street organised crime taskforce, investing £30 million in law enforcement action. That will fund more officers and a nationwide unit based in the National Crime Agency, and will strengthen powers to tackle these criminals.

Answered
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Q3 Karen Bradley Con Staffordshire Moorlands
Immigration Employment
Context

The Home Affairs Committee is conducting an inquiry on organised criminality in high street crimes, including evidence about counterfeit goods and forced labour in their supply chains.

Question

Can the Home Secretary explain what she is doing to combat forced labour? I look forward to putting more questions to her when she appears before my Committee before the summer recess.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

It is always a pleasure to appear before the Home Affairs Committee, and I thank the right hon. Member and her Committee for their work on this important area. She will know that the money we announced recently will fund work by trading standards, HMRC and immigration enforcement. If we pick up cases of forced labour, that will engage our modern slavery obligations. That money is part of a full-spectrum response to a complex issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on immediate actions or timelines not provided

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