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Town Centres
07 January 2025
Lead MP
Luke Murphy
Basingstoke
Lab
Responding Minister
Alex Norris
Tags
Policing & ResourcesCrime & Law EnforcementEconomyTaxationTransportClimateNorthern Ireland
Word Count: 5056
Other Contributors: 11
At a Glance
Luke Murphy raised concerns about town centres in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The debate calls on the government to provide greater support and investment for town centres, encouraging regeneration through diverse mixed-use developments and robust action against antisocial behaviour and retail crime.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The UK's high streets and town centres have suffered years of neglect under Conservative governments, leading to an array of pressures such as a failure to modernise the business rates system and tackle retail crime. According to the Centre for Retail Research, more than 10,000 shops closed in 2023 alone.
Alex Norris
Lab
Rother Valley
Discussed the challenges faced by town centres and outlined government support measures including high street rental auctions, tax cuts, fair payment code, energy costs reduction, and clean energy transition.
Hitchin
Agreed with the hon. Member's point about the importance of safety in regenerating high streets, stressing that robust action is needed to tackle antisocial behaviour and retail crime. Asked about timelines for safety measures in town centres.
Strangford
The hon. Member agreed that more needs to be done for the economic and social regeneration of disadvantaged areas, leaving it to the Minister to provide a fuller response. Talked about Government's funding projects previously.
Jo Platt
Lab/Co-op
Leigh and Atherton
Welcomed the Government’s move on high street rental auctions and small business access loans, agreeing that these measures will only boost the local economy by creating jobs and fostering skills and training.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Mentions the entrepreneurial efforts in his constituency regarding the night-time economy and live music venues.
Southend East and Rochford
Discussed the importance of local transport networks for growth and productivity.
Bayo Alaba
Lab
Southend East and Rochford
Highlights the importance of infrastructure such as buses to enable entrepreneurs and community stakeholders to revitalize their communities.
Mentioned transport and reliable bus services are vital to economic success.
Glastonbury and Somerton
Wincanton in her constituency would benefit from £10 million funding for regeneration, which would boost footfall and bring prosperity back to rural market towns. Discussed the UK shared prosperity fund and local growth funding.
Sorcha Eastwood
Alliance
Lagan Valley
Agrees that businesses face a cost of doing business crisis, citing an example from her constituency where a restaurant had to close.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Supports the idea of high street rental auctions, which are a pilot in Bournemouth and can be critical for restoring confidence in town centres.
Government Response
Alex Norris
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Government Response
Called time on persistent high street vacancies with new powers for local authorities to require landlords to bring properties back into use; introduced tax cuts for businesses with rateable values under £500,000 from 2026-27; proposed a fair payment code against late payments and long payment terms; encouraged transition away from fossil fuels towards clean energy through Great British Energy. Announced a £5.7 billion long-term transport settlement to transform local networks; introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill to empower local leaders over bus services; plans for 350 banking hubs to anchor high streets; shift from competitive funding towards integrated settlements with local choice; UK shared prosperity fund supports Northern Ireland and elsewhere; safer streets mission includes neighbourhood policing guarantee of 13,000 more police officers; zero tolerance approach to ASB through dedicated lead officers and respect orders; young futures programme for positive engagement with youth.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.