British Retail Consortium responds to the Queen’s speech
Responding to the Queen’s speech, Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:
“The Queen’s speech and the new parliamentary session are an opportunity for the government to reinvigorate its domestic agenda. We want to work with government to implement policies that support businesses, protect retail workers from growing levels of violence and abuse, and create conditions for investment in skills and productivity growth. To this end we welcome commitment to reform the business rates system and we will engage with the government on the details.”
On Brexit:
“Businesses now know when the UK will leave the EU and will welcome the certainty that the transition period will provide after 31 January. We are encouraged that both the UK and EU have indicated they want an ambitious and comprehensive free trade deal. It is key that the future relationship secures tariff-free and low-friction trade, reaching agreements on a range of regulatory and customs arrangements to ensure a fair deal for consumers by keeping costs down and maintaining choice and availability. We will continue to work in partnership with government.”
On Immigration:
“It is essential that any future immigration system works for retail across all skill levels. The operation of warehouses, food factories and city centre stores benefit from the vital contribution these workers make. We need a system that enables swift and straight-forward recruitment without significantly increasing the cost of employment.”
On Crime:
“We welcome the government’s clear commitment to tackling crime. There is now an opportunity to bring forward measures to crack down on criminals who attack our retail colleagues through tougher sentences. Every day 115 retail workers are attacked in the workplace. We acknowledge that the government is serious about tackling violent offenders, but this needs to start with retail which is the largest private sector employer.”
On Sustainability:
“We look forward to working with the government to deliver our shared commitment to building a better sustainable environment and driving a more circular, zero-waste economy. We welcome measures to improve the consistency of recycling schemes, however such measures must be rolled out across the whole of the UK to provide clarity for consumers.
“Retailers want to see a world with no plastic pollution. The industry recognises its responsibility to contribute more directly towards the costs of recycling and recovering packaging through a reformed Extended Producer Responsibility scheme. Where gaps remain from these initial reforms the government should assess how other measures such as DRS can be used to increase rates of recycling, without causing disruption to the existing system.”
On Skills:
“Upskilling and lifelong learning will play a central role towards creating innovative and dynamic careers of the future within retail. We welcome the government’s commitment to establish a National Skills Fund. However, an immediate priority is to see the government deliver its manifesto pledge to improve the working of the Apprenticeship Levy to enable businesses to support the development of higher skilled, more productive retail jobs.”
On Business Rates:
“We welcome the continued commitment to a fundamental review of the business rates system and would like to see this formalised in the upcoming budget. It would do far more to help relieve struggling high streets and safeguard jobs and communities than short-term discounts which will only impact some businesses but not all. The retail rates discount is just another sticking plaster that ducks the real crisis facing high streets especially in vulnerable areas of England already suffering from years of economic decline and falling rents. However, it’s good to see the commitment to bring back the revaluation legislation that will help business’ rates bills more accurately reflect the rents they pay. This must be done urgently.”
