The British Retail Consortium has welcomed the Chancellor’s extra funding for policing, transport, and skills, but stressed that the real test will be whether upcoming business rates reforms deliver meaningful relief for retailers.
In the Spending Review published recently, the Chancellor set out the funding being allocated to each Government department over the next five years.
During Spending Review speech today (June 11), the Chancellor announced that the policing budget will increase by 2.3 per cent per year above inflation over the review period, in line with the baseline for other departments.
When coupled with concerns across the country that local council budgets are stretched to breaking point, both the police and local enforcement officers are facing real resourcing challenges to deal with the tide of theft, abuse, violence and rogue trading blighting the communities where local shops trade.
Responding to the Chancellor’s Spending Review, Tom Ironside, Director of Business & Regulation at the British Retail Consortium, said, “While acknowledging the challenges facing many of Britain’s high streets, the Chancellor announced plans for funding on a variety of issues important to retail.
“With the huge rise in retail theft and the continued impact of violence and abuse on retail colleagues, we welcome the announcement of an extra £2bn for policing, and we support the plan for an additional 13,000 neighbourhood police.
"The Chancellor wants people to feel safer on their high street, and it is vital that some of the additional policing resources are focused on addressing both violence and abuse in retail, with over 2,000 incidents every day, and shoplifting, which costs retailers and their customers over £4bn a year.
“Successful town and city centres are underpinned by an effective transport system which is why we support the funding aimed at improving transport in many parts of the country.
"Furthermore, as one of the biggest spenders on upskilling its workforce, the retail industry will welcome the increased funding for skills and training, and look forward to seeing more detail on the planned Skills & Growth Levy.
“Retail is the largest private-sector employer in the UK, touching the lives of all of us. As the everywhere economy we have a major role in creating jobs and boosting local investment.
"The next major test will come at the Budget, and the Chancellor’s plan for the future of business rates. We support plans to bring down the disproportionate rates bill paid by the industry, but it is vital that these new reforms result in no shop paying more.”
