Retail Crime Forum kicks off government’s new push to support small businesses

The government will convene the first meeting of the Retail Crime Forum today (3 December), bringing together senior law enforcement officials, retail trade associations, and major retailers to tackle crime on high streets and improve safety for retail workers.

The meeting follows the government’s commitment to introduce a new specific offence of assaulting a retail worker, ending the effective immunity that currently applies for theft of goods under £200 and increased funding of £7 million over three years to policing will help tackle retail crime.

The forum is part of a broader package of measures unveiled today aimed at bolstering small businesses across the UK, in anticipation of Small Business Saturday this weekend.

One of the headline announcements is the launch of the Fair Payment Code, designed to combat late payments that cost SMEs an average of £22,000 a year. Overseen by Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay, the code introduces a tiered system—gold, silver, and bronze—recognising businesses with exemplary payment practices. This initiative aims to improve cash flow for small firms, reducing financial strain and increasing survival rates.

“The Fair Payment Code is our response to all those suppliers who begged for a more aspirational, robust and ambitious approach to changing the business to business payment culture in the UK. It also gives a clear signal of intent on the part of Government,” Barclay commented.

The government has also teamed up with leading banks, including Barclays, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, and NatWest, to launch the Disability Finance Code for Entrepreneurship. This initiative will improve access to finance and mentoring for disabled entrepreneurs, recognising the potential to unlock an additional £230 billion in economic growth, as highlighted by the Lilac Review.

“The banking and finance industry understands the importance of supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities and improving access to finance for all,” said David Raw, managing director of Commercial Finance at UK Finance.

“Many lenders already have commitments and activities in place to support customers with disabilities and will continue to develop and enhance these to support customer needs.”

In another move to empower entrepreneurs, a partnership between Female Founder Finance and UK Export Finance will provide free services to help female-led businesses access funding and expand their networks. This initiative aims to tap into the potential of women entrepreneurs and ensure they have the tools to scale their ventures successfully.

The announcements come as the prime minister is hosting a reception at Downing Street for small business leaders and small business representative organisations from across the UK.

“This government’s primary ambition is clear: to go for growth. To do that, we must unleash the potential of our entrepreneurs,” small business minister Gareth Thomas said.

“These measures will help remove barriers that are holding our small businesses back and ensure everyone has the backing they need to succeed.”