Retail bodies welcome white paper on levelling up

UK’s leading retailers’ bodies have welcomed the publication of the government’s levelling up white paper, specifically the commitments to tackle crime in communities and boost connectivity in rural areas.

The white paper, which will become law through the new Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, focuses on improving standards of living and working in disadvantaged areas across the UK through the delivery of 12 ‘missions’ by 2030. There will also be a significant shift toward devolution, with more mayors instated in areas like York and North Yorkshire and a commitment for any area that wishes to have a ‘London style’ devolution deal to be granted one by 2030.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “It’s encouraging that the white paper recognises the importance of tackling crime, which is central to how people feel about their local area. This rhetoric needs to be backed with resources and powers for Police and Crime Commissioners and Neighbourhood Policing Teams to improve their response to crime in shops and elsewhere in communities. People across the country want to live, work and shop in safe places, and without that “levelling up” can’t happen.

“We have long called for faster broadband to be available in more parts of the UK as connectivity is now an essential part of running a business effectively and legally. Rural shops in particular are being held back by poor connectivity, and these retailers will be holding the government to account on their pledge today.”

“We are encouraged that the High Streets Task Force is specifically identified to play a role in promoting the best use of funds to support town centre developments, and as a sector leader advising the High Streets Task Force I am excited to see them help shape effective investment in those places. We also need to get the right policy environment to support business investment, productivity and growth, starting with long overdue reform of the business rates system.”

Responding to the White Paper on Levelling Up the United Kingdom, Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said, “As the UK’s largest private sector employer, retail supports communities across the country by contributing to local economies and providing employment opportunities and career progression for people from all walks of life.

“We welcome the Levelling Up White Paper, and believe more can be done to improve our town and city centres. Retailers want to see initiatives that will make high streets more attractive places to invest in and more compelling places for people to visit.

“We will be looking at the paper in more detail and look forward to discussing with ministers how retail can help deliver on the government’s levelling up missions, including pride in place.”

Additional measures that are likely to affect local shops include:

• Recommendations will be taken forward from Henry Dimbleby’s review towards a National Food Strategy. DfE will work with the Food Standards Agency to pilot measures to ensure greater compliance with the school food standards. The government will pilot the Community Eat Well programme, enabling GPs to prescribe exercise and healthy food.
• The government will support 20 towns and city centres, starting off with Wolverhampton and Sheffield, undertaking King’s Cross-style regeneration projects..
• 68 more local authorities to be supported by the High Streets Task Force to transform their town centres.
• £50 million from the Safer Streets Fund will be invested every year to give Police and Crime Commissioners, local authorities, and also certain civil society organisations in England and Wales the resources they need to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Building on investment from the 10-year Drugs Strategy, the government will work intensively with the local authorities of 10-20 areas most affected by prolific neighbourhood crime.

The full levelling up white paper is available here: https://bit.ly/levellingup-whitepaper