Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

High Street Businesses

26 February 2025 · 14 other contributors · 10,291 words

Opened by Matt Vickers Con Stockton West

Responding minister: Mr Douglas Alexander

EconomyBusiness & Trade

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Matt Vickers raised concerns about high street businesses in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The rise of online shopping and changing consumer habits pose challenges for high street businesses.
  • The Government's Budget has led to cuts in small business rates relief and the end of the community ownership fund.
  • The minister highlighted the Government's commitment to supporting thriving, mixed-use high streets through a five-point plan.

Key requests to Government

The Government should provide a commitment about the future of rate relief and support high streets by responding to changing consumer habits and investing in town centres to create other reasons for people to visit them.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Matt Vickers Con Stockton West

The rise of online shopping and changing consumer habits have created a challenging environment for many businesses operating on our high streets. The Government's Budget has failed to back the high streets, instead slashing small business rates relief and ending the community ownership fund, leading to significant increases in business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure premises. This is causing job losses at major retailers like Tesco, New Look, Sainsbury’s, and others.

Other contributors (14)
  • Caroline Voaden LD South Devon

    A commitment from the Government about the future of rate relief would give reassurance to high street business owners who fear removal of small business rate relief.

  • Chris McDonald Lab Stockton North

    He highlighted Stockton Council's vision of developing the town centre around leisure, culture, recreation, and events, which has resulted in increased business openings and a vibrant high street. He also discussed additional police officers funded by the Government to ensure safety.

  • Al Pinkerton LD Surrey Heath

    Highlights challenges faced by high streets in Surrey Heath, including increased vacancy rates, crime, antisocial behaviour, and outdated business rate systems. Criticises the current system for being unfair to bricks and mortar businesses.

  • Euan Stainbank SNP East Dunbartonshire

    Calls for support on issues such as parking schemes, closure of town halls and challenges felt sharply in Scotland with about three shops a day closing in 2024. Urges the government to move quickly on rebalancing tax burden. Paid tribute to Falkirk business improvement district for its work in revitalizing the high street, highlighted energy shocks leading to higher bills and staff challenges, and endorsed Unite Hospitality's Get Me Home Safely campaign. Described his commitment to the Falkirk community and highlighted the dangers faced by hospitality workers.

  • Gregor Poynton Lab Livingston

    Scottish high streets should be vibrant hearts of communities. The Central Bakery in West Calder is being transformed into a £6 million discovery and activity centre, creating jobs and investment opportunities. Supports being creative about how units are used, suggesting options such as childcare, co-working spaces, and housing. Emphasises the need for coherent policymaking and relaxation of planning rules while ensuring quality housing.

  • Jas Athwal Lab Ilford South

    Introduced one hour of free parking in Ilford South, welcoming the Superloop and Elizabeth line initiatives that have increased footfall. Addressed the decline of high streets due to out-of-town shopping and online competition, advocating for incentives for customers and businesses. Spoke powerfully about high streets, recognising challenges but focusing on supporting communities.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Provides a Northern Ireland perspective on issues such as empty units reducing footfall and consumer choice, increase in online shopping, high cost of energy, rent and business rates. Mentions Ballynahinch and Newtownards.

  • John Lamont Ayr

    Agrees with the criticism of the SNP Government and suggests changes to the planning system to allow high streets to be more flexible in responding to challenges.

  • Josh Fenton-Glynn Lab Calder Valley

    Pays tribute to those who work in the local business community, highlights the Totally Locally campaign which encourages spending money locally.

  • Douglas Alexander Lab Inverness East, Nairn, Highlands and Isle of Skye

    The minister thanked all Members for their contributions to the debate on high streets. He acknowledged the efforts of the hon. Member for Stockton West in securing this debate and highlighted the fiscal measures announced in the Budget.

  • Sarah Dyke LD Glastonbury and Somerton

    Supports the idea of pubs as community spaces in rural areas, criticising proposed changes to business rates which could be ruinous for many pubs. Emphasises the importance of pubs driving footfall and supporting rural economies.

  • Steve Darling Ind Torbay

    Called for more funding and support for vulnerable people sleeping rough in Torbay, emphasized the need for uniformed officers to make communities feel safe. Advocated for local authorities' ability to place-shape and streamline compulsory purchase orders. Acknowledged the long-standing challenges faced by high streets due to changing retail patterns and cultural shifts.

  • Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Lab Slough

    Local businesses are struggling due to cuts by previous Tory Governments and antisocial behaviour. Allocating more resources is vital to boost confidence of local residents and revitalise town centres.

  • Wendy Morton Con Aldridge-Brownhills

    The Government's measures are squeezing businesses out of existence, leading to job losses and a loss of vibrancy on high streets. Small businesses in entry-level or part-time roles are disproportionately hit. She shared her experience of visiting Stockton and praised local independent businesses, discussing challenges such as rising costs, declining footfall, and the impact of employer national insurance contributions on jobs.

Government Response

Mr Douglas Alexander

The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security

The minister thanked all Members who participated in the debate, acknowledging the insights provided by each speaker. He highlighted the Government's commitment to ensuring businesses across the UK benefit from measures that deliver economic stability and growth. Emphasised the Government’s commitment to supporting thriving, mixed-use high streets through a five-point plan including addressing antisocial behaviour, reforming business rates, working with banks to roll out banking hubs, stamping out late payments and empowering communities to utilise vacant properties. The minister highlighted progress made in their first seven months in office such as introducing the Crime and Policing Bill, providing additional funding to tackle retail crime, expanding SWAPs programme, implementing business rates reform, and planning a small business strategy.

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