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Bira submits five item Budget 'wish list'

Bira submits five item Budget 'wish list'
Jeremy Hunt (Leon Neal/Getty Images/File Photo )
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The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has put together its five item 'wish list' for the chancellor to address in the Spring Budget.

Bira, who work with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has called upon Jeremy Hunt to address the issues facing the UK's high street when he speaks in parliament on March 6.


Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of Bira, urged the government to address the issues critical in ensuring the continued growth and prosperity of the retail sector.

“As the spring season approaches, we look to the government to sow the seeds for a robust and thriving retail landscape. Independent retailers are the lifeblood of our economy, and we believe that addressing these five key issues in the Spring Budget will not only support businesses but also contribute to the overall economic well-being of the nation,” Goodacre said.

Bira's Top Five Wishes for the Spring Budget.

1. Permanent Retail Discount on Rates at 75 per cent

Bira stressed the importance of making the current retail discount permanent at 75 per cent for businesses with a rates payable value of up to £110,000 per annum. This measure, coupled with a frozen rates multiplier, aims to create a stable business environment and foster an atmosphere conducive to investment.

2. Policies to Improve Consumer Confidence and Spending

Bira called for the implementation of policies aimed at enhancing consumer confidence and spending. Recognising the symbiotic relationship between consumers and retailers, Bira said these measures will create a positive economic environment, driving growth and stability within the retail sector.

3. Increase in Employer National Insurance Allowance

By April, the National Minimum Wage will have risen by almost 20 per cent in the past two years. Bira advocates for a proportional 20 per cent increase in the employer's national insurance allowance. This adjustment is crucial to providing essential support to businesses, helping them manage costs and maintain a balanced operational framework, the trade body said.

4. Reintroduction of Tax-Free Shopping in the UK

Bira highlighted the necessity of reinstating tax-free shopping to stimulate retail activity, particularly in tourist destinations across the country. This move is expected to foster increased spending, catering to the rising number of tourists and promoting economic resilience within the retail sector.

5. Action to Free Businesses from Expensive Energy Contracts

Given the recent fall in energy prices, Bira called for immediate action to liberate businesses from expensive energy contracts. This proactive step will alleviate financial burdens on retailers, enabling them to redirect resources toward growth and sustainability.

Goodacre added: “These wishes represent a collective vision for a vibrant and flourishing retail landscape. We believe that by addressing these crucial issues in the Spring Budget, the government can lay the groundwork for a prosperous future for independent retailers and the UK economy as a whole.”

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Indies: It’s criminal police and government turn blind eye to shoplifting

Independent retailers are demanding tougher police action, more bobbies on the beat and harsher punishments as shoplifting levels reach an all-time high, a new survey reveals.

A whopping ninety-one per cent of respondents to a survey conducted by the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) called for more police patrols on streets, while a similar number - 90 per cent - said that shoplifters should be handed harsher sentences.

Seven out of 10 respondents (72 per cent) said their stores had experienced shoplifting, break ins and damage to property, while they and their staff had been physically or verbally threatened.

Just under half of respondents (47 per cent) said they and their employees had been threatened or had suffered abuse and violence when asking for proof of age ahead of selling an age-restricted product.

Forty-four per cent reported that they and their staff had faced abuse or violence because they had refused to make a proxy sale – selling an age restricted product to a customer buying for a minor.

The results of the Fed’s survey came as new figures from the Office of National Statistics revealed that shoplifting was at a record high, with almost half a million offences recorded last year.

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“Inadequate responses from the police and a slap on the wrist for offenders means that shoplifting is soaring, and offenders are becoming more aggressive and brazen,” said Fed National President Mo Razzaq.

“From the responses we received, it is clear that real action is needed by police, by courts and by the government to stem the overwhelming tide of crime against retailers and their staff. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and for their businesses to be protected against criminals.

“Fed members are also sending a clear message that one of the catalysts for verbal and physical abuse in stores is asking for proof of age before selling an age restricted product. If the government presses ahead with its plans to phase out smoking and vaping through a progressive ban to gradually end the sale of tobacco products across the country, independent retailers will be subject to even greater levels of violence, abuse and theft.”

Calling for action from the government and not just words, Mr Razzaq continued: “Without effective deterrent, criminals and opportunistic members of the public will continue to commit crimes.”

According to Ministry of Justice statistics, during the year to March 2024, 431 fines were handed out for retail theft under £100, while Home Office statistics for the same period show that 2,252 cautions were accepted for shoplifting.

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