Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Brierley Hill in Dudley South faces competition from nearby retail parks and online shopping.
Towns like Brierley Hill in my constituency have struggled to compete with nearby retail parks, and also increasingly with more shopping moving online. Will the Minister do everything he can to help towns like Brierley Hill adapt to modern economic challenges and make those town centres places where people want to be?
My right hon. Friend visited Brierley Hill, one of the first 100 places under our future high street fund to receive £150,000 revenue funding to work on exciting plans to ensure high streets are fit for the future. My hon. Friend will be working hard to make sure pubs are protected and we can have micropubs up and down the land.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
A Select Committee report from the previous Parliament recommended addressing the imbalance in business rates paid by online retailers compared to high street shops.
The Member requests that the Government commit, as part of their upcoming business rate review, to address this unfairness and consider rebalancing taxes so digital sales contribute more while traditional retail pays less.
I confirm that this will be a comprehensive review of business rates. Arguments from the Select Committee report mentioned by the hon. Member, as well as relevant passages in the Conservative manifesto, will be considered.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The constituency of Knottingley has faced significant public service cuts impacting local shops, a sports centre, library, youth services, among others.
She requests the Minister to arrange a meeting with her and the Secretary of State to discuss including Knottingley in the towns fund for investment in its high street.
I am pleased to offer a meeting with the right hon. Lady at her convenience.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Local authorities lack the power to take over notable buildings like the George hotel in Houghton, which is crucial for rugby league heritage.
He asks the Minister to improve the compulsory purchase order process to aid local authorities in preserving and revitalizing significant town centre buildings.
The review of the CPO system for our towns will indeed form part of the upcoming planning White Paper, to help address cases like the George hotel in Houghton.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
More shops are closing than opening in UK high streets and town centres due to a failing business taxation system.
He urges the Government to take decisive steps to address this issue, suggesting the creation of enterprise zones for town centres as an incentive measure.
The £3.6 billion towns fund and £13 billion in business rates savings are being deployed to assist businesses, but I will investigate the concept of high street enterprise zones as suggested.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific response to 'fundamental weakness of our business taxation system'
Offer To Look Into Suggestion
Response accuracy