Menu
01/11/2011
Retailers Call For 'Boldness And Urgency'
The UKs retailers have called for the Governemnt to act with "boldness and urgency" to restore customers' confidence to spend and rebuild retailers' appetite to invest and resume job creation.
In a letter to George Osborne on Monday, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) set out retailers' key priorities for developing a positive agenda for growth.
The BRC's submission said that with consumer spending now in recession, tax increases due to increase the squeeze on household budgets, and retail employment now falling - the Chancellor needed to urgently deliver genuine support for growth by holding back costs under his control.
British Retail Consortium Director General Stephen Robertson said: "With consumer spending and retail job numbers dropping, rebuilding the confidence of customers to spend and retailers to return to investing and creating jobs has to be the Chancellor's priority.
"He must hold back the costs he is responsible for. Freezing Council Tax offers welcome relief to hard-pressed households. The Chancellor should go further and help businesses and consumers by freezing fuel duty rates."
Responding to the letter, Toby Perkins MP, Labour's Shadow Small Business Minister,
Said the BRC had highlighted that businesses up and down the country are calling for an effective plan for growth now.
"In our five point plan, we are calling for a temporary VAT cut which would put £450 in the pocket of each family and help boost the high street and protect jobs in retail and get the growth we need to get the deficit down," the Labour Minister said.
"Out of touch ministers have simply stood by complacently as consumer confidence has plummeted and the high street is suffering."
The BRC said that a massive 5.6% Business Rates increase next April would come on top of a 4.6% increase this year.
Meanwhile, September's RPI is also due to dictate an increase in fuel duty next August. Added to the 3.02 pence per litre increase already due on 1 January 2012 that would mean duty increases next year totalling between 7 and 8 pence.
"To support businesses and customers, both of these need a radical rethink," a BRC spokesman said.
(DW/GK)
In a letter to George Osborne on Monday, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) set out retailers' key priorities for developing a positive agenda for growth.
The BRC's submission said that with consumer spending now in recession, tax increases due to increase the squeeze on household budgets, and retail employment now falling - the Chancellor needed to urgently deliver genuine support for growth by holding back costs under his control.
British Retail Consortium Director General Stephen Robertson said: "With consumer spending and retail job numbers dropping, rebuilding the confidence of customers to spend and retailers to return to investing and creating jobs has to be the Chancellor's priority.
"He must hold back the costs he is responsible for. Freezing Council Tax offers welcome relief to hard-pressed households. The Chancellor should go further and help businesses and consumers by freezing fuel duty rates."
Responding to the letter, Toby Perkins MP, Labour's Shadow Small Business Minister,
Said the BRC had highlighted that businesses up and down the country are calling for an effective plan for growth now.
"In our five point plan, we are calling for a temporary VAT cut which would put £450 in the pocket of each family and help boost the high street and protect jobs in retail and get the growth we need to get the deficit down," the Labour Minister said.
"Out of touch ministers have simply stood by complacently as consumer confidence has plummeted and the high street is suffering."
The BRC said that a massive 5.6% Business Rates increase next April would come on top of a 4.6% increase this year.
Meanwhile, September's RPI is also due to dictate an increase in fuel duty next August. Added to the 3.02 pence per litre increase already due on 1 January 2012 that would mean duty increases next year totalling between 7 and 8 pence.
"To support businesses and customers, both of these need a radical rethink," a BRC spokesman said.
(DW/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 May 2012
Number Of Retailers Going Bust Leaps 38% In One Year
The number of retailers going bust jumped 38% to 670 in the first quarter of 2012, up from 486 in Q4 2011, according to research by Wilkins Kennedy LLP, the Top 25 accountancy firm. Anthony Cork, Partner at Wilkins Kennedy, commented: "The double-dip has pulled the retail sector down sharply.
Number Of Retailers Going Bust Leaps 38% In One Year
The number of retailers going bust jumped 38% to 670 in the first quarter of 2012, up from 486 in Q4 2011, according to research by Wilkins Kennedy LLP, the Top 25 accountancy firm. Anthony Cork, Partner at Wilkins Kennedy, commented: "The double-dip has pulled the retail sector down sharply.
05 January 2009
More Weekend Shoppers Head For The High Street
More shoppers hit British high streets over the weekend than in the same period last year, it has been revealed. Footfall during Friday, Saturday and Sunday was up 2.7%, according to figures released today. Market analyst Experian cited the time of week New Year's Day fell on as a possible reason for the increase.
More Weekend Shoppers Head For The High Street
More shoppers hit British high streets over the weekend than in the same period last year, it has been revealed. Footfall during Friday, Saturday and Sunday was up 2.7%, according to figures released today. Market analyst Experian cited the time of week New Year's Day fell on as a possible reason for the increase.
10 January 2014
Sharp Increase In Online Christmas Sales - BRC
New data has revealed there was a surge in online shopping in the run up to the Christmas period. The survey, published by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said that an increasing use of tablets and smartphones, as well as fast delivery times added to the sharp rise in online shopping before Christmas.
Sharp Increase In Online Christmas Sales - BRC
New data has revealed there was a surge in online shopping in the run up to the Christmas period. The survey, published by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said that an increasing use of tablets and smartphones, as well as fast delivery times added to the sharp rise in online shopping before Christmas.
25 June 2010
Smaller Businesses 'Welcome' Budget
As this week's budget's impact sinks in, it has emerged that almost half the small businesses surveyed by the Forum of Private Business are "pleasantly surprised" even though some fear tax rises could lead to a double dip recession.
Smaller Businesses 'Welcome' Budget
As this week's budget's impact sinks in, it has emerged that almost half the small businesses surveyed by the Forum of Private Business are "pleasantly surprised" even though some fear tax rises could lead to a double dip recession.
13 March 2006
CBI calls for business tax reduction
The rising burden of taxes is leading to UK businesses losing their competitive edge, the Confederation of British Industry has warned. The CBI launched an attack on 'stealth taxes', which it said where being introduced by the government under the guise of tax revenue protection or 'anti-avoidance' measures.
CBI calls for business tax reduction
The rising burden of taxes is leading to UK businesses losing their competitive edge, the Confederation of British Industry has warned. The CBI launched an attack on 'stealth taxes', which it said where being introduced by the government under the guise of tax revenue protection or 'anti-avoidance' measures.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
