Government
The latest news, updates and analysis on the government and what it is doing that affects the UK retail industry. Sign up to the Daily Briefing and let Retail Sector’s business journalists keep you in the picture.
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Dec- 2021 -3 December
Retailers welcome proposed tougher sentencing for shopworker abuse
The retail industry has welcomed proposed changes put forward by the government that would see tougher sentencing for those that assault shopworkers. Policing minister Kit Malthouse confirmed the government has tabled an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which states that courts must treat assaults committed “against…
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Oct- 2021 -27 October
Chancellor unveils 50% rates discount for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a 50% discount on business rates for the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors (up to £110,000), equating to a business tax cut worth £1.7bn, the biggest single-year rates cut for firms in over 30 years. Unveiling his latest Budget in the Commons today (27 October),…
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21 October
Supermarkets urged to set targets on plant-based food sales, says TFF
The Food Foundation (TFF) has announced the urgency with which food businesses need to start transparently reporting on plant-based foods. The Planting Up Progress report revealed only two major supermarkets report on animal versus plant-based protein sales. According to TFF, investors and the government need to demand “accurate and regular…
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11 October
PM appoints ex-Tesco CEO Dave Lewis as supply chain adviser
The prime minister has appointed Sir David Lewis, former CEO of Tesco, as the UK Government’s supply chain adviser. The government said Lewis brings with him a “wealth of industry knowledge” and expertise to the new role. He will advise the PM and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on…
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Sep- 2021 -6 September
SRC recommends budget proposals to support retail recovery
The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has published a number of recommendations for the 2022-2023 Scottish Government’s budget to support a sustainable retail recovery. Set across six key measures, the industry body has called for action to stimulate consumer spending, protect vulnerable consumers, and aid hard-pressed businesses. While the first proposal…
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Aug- 2021 -27 August
Contactless limit to hit £100 in October
The Government is set to raise the contactless card spending limit from £45 to £100 from 15 October 2021. Initial plans for the change were first announced in March’s budget announcement, and follow the increase from £30 to its current level at the start of the pandemic. The decision has…
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10 August
Bira in talks with metro mayors to help retailers post-pandemic
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has said it is involved in discussions with mayors of UK metropolitan cities to discuss “new ways” of supporting independent retailers post-pandemic. The talks, which are being led by the group’s CEO Andrew Goodacre, have been looking at support for reforms to business rates…
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Jul- 2021 -7 July
Bira urges gov to support indie retailers closed by self-isolation
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has urged the Government to issue more support for indie retailers that are forced to close if staff are self-isolating. The calls follow the prime minister’s announcement that most Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted on 19 July. However, self-isolation will remain until 16 August,…
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5 July
Retailers call on PM to ‘support’ laws against retail violence
Some 100 of the UK’s “leading” retailers have written to the Prime Minister calling on him to support an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that would tackle violence and abuse against retail workers. The letter, which was coordinated by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), comes as…
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1 July
Business committee chair questions CMA investigative takeover powers
The chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, Darren Jones, has written to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in relation to their powers to investigate takeovers. It follows the recent purchase of Asda using “significant amounts” of debt and the increased interest from private equity companies in…
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