Labour Party, considered the frontrunner in the upcoming national election, has said it would be “pro-business” and prioritize “wealth creation” as it released its manifesto today (13) ahead of the 2024 General Election, focusing on introducing longer term policy measures and stabilising the economy.
Launched by Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, the manifesto commits to a range of measures that could affect the convenience sector, including a replacement of the business rates system in England, changes to the remit of the Low Pay Commission and the National Living Wage, and the introduction of a separate offence for assaulting a shopworker as well as ban on selling high caffeine energy drinks to under 16s.
The manifesto also includes a number of public health interventions aimed at reducing the burden on the NHS like the introduction of a generational ban on tobacco products and further restrictions on the vaping category.
Pledges made in the manifesto relevant to the convenience sector include:
Business taxation
- Cap corporation tax at 25 per cent for the entire parliament
- Retain permanent full expensing for capital investment and the annual investment allowance for small business
- Replace business rates in England with a revenue neutral system that levels the playing field between online and high streets
Communities
- Strengthen the Post Office network and support the development of new products, services and business models, such as banking hubs, that will help reinvigorate the high street
- Further devolution and a new statutory requirement for Local Growth Plans
- Full gigabit and national 5G coverage by 2030
Employment
- Remove the age bands for the National Living Wage (currently anyone aged 20 and over is eligible for NLW)
- Change the remit of the Low Pay Commission so that it accounts for the cost of living
Public health
- Introduce a generational ban on purchasing tobacco products
- Ban vapes from being branded and advertised to appeal to children
- Ban on advertising junk food to children
- Ban on selling high caffeine energy drinks to under 16s
Crime
- A new Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee including the recruitment of thousands of new officers
- A new specific offence for assaults on shopworkers that will protect them from threats and violence.
Net Zero
- Restoring the phase out date of 2030 for new ICE vehicles
Throughout the General Election campaign, ACS is encouraging retailers to make the most of the opportunity to invite prospective parliamentary candidates into store to explain the issues that are affecting their business both locally and nationally.
ACS has put together a guide on how to run a store visit as well as a useful online tool to request a visit with candidates, all of which is available in the ACS Election Centre here.
