The government will soon introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure, Gareth Thomas MP, Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports said in the parliament on Thursday (June 12).
Responding to a question from a Conservative shadow spokesperson in the House of Commons, Thomas said, "We have said that we will introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure. The Chancellor of the Exchequer set out our initial thoughts on that in the Budget in October, and we will publish an update on where we are on that issue in the coming months."
Thomas also blamed the Conservatives for "not acting to reform business rates" in their term.
On being asked by Aphra Brandreth on what steps are being taken to support high street businesses, Thomas said, "We have announced plans to reform business rates, launched high street rental auction powers for councils that will help businesses to access currently vacant properties, worked with industry to open over 150 banking hubs, and introduced the Crime and Policing Bill to provide retailers with greater protections from assault and shoplifting.
"Our forthcoming small and medium-sized enterprise strategy will set out our further plans to help businesses on the high street and beyond."
On the issue of shoplifting raised by Greg Smith, Thomas informed the House of Commons, "We have committed to an extra 3,000 police officers over the course of this financial year and a total of an extra 13,000 by the end of this Parliament.
"We are also taking action to end the immunity that his party introduced for shoplifters and taking steps to increase the powers that the police have to take action when shoplifters and others are violent against retail staff."
On the issue of lack of access to high street banks, Thomas said, "We are committed to working with the banks to roll out 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament, but we also think that the Post Office can do more to help to improve access to banking services.
"On the particular issue in his constituency, if it would be helpful, I would be very happy to sit down and talk to him about what else he might be able to do to secure a banking hub for his constituents."
