Government
Government covers the policies, regulations, and political developments impacting the UK retail industry. This section reports on government initiatives, legislative changes, taxation, employment law, and sustainability policy, analysing how they affect retailers’ operations and strategic planning. Retail Sector’s Government coverage provides retail leaders, compliance teams, and business owners with informed insight into regulatory trends and public-sector engagement shaping the commercial environment across the retail sector.
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Jul- 2020 -10 July
Usdaw ‘disappointed’ PM fails to back shop worker protection law
Retail trade union Usdaw has criticised the prime minister for failing to back a new law to protect shop workers from violence. The trade union has called for a firm commitment from the government to take all available actions to tackle the issue. The news comes as Usdaw revealed one…
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8 July
Government to crack down on violence against shopworkers
The government has vowed to crack down on violence and abuse against shopworkers. In a statement, yesterday the Home Office said it will work with National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG) on a best practice guide to support staff in reporting these crimes, strengthening and making full use of existing…
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Apr- 2020 -21 April
Companies House suspends strike-offs amid Covid-19 crisis
Companies House has announced it has temporarily paused its strike off process to prevent companies being dissolved amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The government announced changes to Companies House enforcement last week (16 April), which gives businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak the time they need to update their records and…
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20 April
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme portal goes live
The portal for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is now live, with the government saying that businesses with validated claims will receive payments within at least six days. Under the scheme announced last month, employers can claim a grant covering 80% of the wages for a furloughed employee, subject to…
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Mar- 2020 -6 March
CMA urges retailers to ‘behave responsibly’ amid Coronavirus panic
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has urged retailers to not “take advantage of people” and “exploit” the current Coronavirus situation. It said it will consider any evidence that companies have “broken competition or consumer protection law” by hiking prices or making misleading claims about protective equipment. The CMA will…
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Feb- 2020 -10 February
HMRC yields £16 from small businesses for every £1 spent on staff
HMRC’s investigations into individuals and small businesses produced a yield of approximately £16 for every £1 spent on staff last year, according to research by international law firm Pinsent Masons. The firm said the “huge” return on investment in staff outweighs returns seen by other private sector businesses. Whilst HMRC’s…
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Nov- 2019 -12 November
Government must ‘play its part’ to support retail sector, says BRC
The incoming government must take action to fully support to the retail sector, the BRC has urged in its latest manifesto. The publication, entitled ‘A Vision for the UK Retail Industry’, calls for relief and reform of the industry as it navigates changes driven by new technology and changing consumer…
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Sep- 2019 -2 September
Retail business rates could rise by £169m over the next 12 months
Retailers could see a £169m increase in business rates next year, prompting renewed calls for the government to overhaul the system. Calculations by real estate advisors Altus Group found gross business rates bills (including non-retail) for the financial year 2020/21 would increase by £662.15m in England, if the headline rate…
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Aug- 2019 -9 August
Gove orders HMRC to support SMEs in the event of no-deal
Ministers including Michael Gove have ordered HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to support “cash-strapped” small business in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Representatives from 19 of the UK’s largest business federations met with ministers at No 10 yesterday (8 August) to discuss how to accelerate “business preparedness” for leaving…
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Jun- 2019 -24 June
Pensions Regulator boss to face questions over Arcadia deal
The Pension Regulator (TPR) boss, Charles Counsell is set to appear in front of the Work and Pensions Committee, regarding the settlement with Arcadia boss Philip Green last month. The agreement, saw Green pledge an extra £25m per year to its company pension fund for three years, while in return…
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