ACS responds to Pre Budget report
06 Dec 2006
ACS, the campaigning voice of the local shop, has responded to a relatively low key pre-budget report for the convenience sector. James Lowman ACS Chief Executive said:
“We are disappointed that following the recent focus on the disparity of alcohol and tobacco duty rates in the EU, the Chancellor has yet again failed to address the disparity of rates between the UK and its neighbours. Every budget that passes where he fails to address this problem is another bumper year for the criminal networks that exploit the black market that disparity creates.
“We welcome the commitment to enforcement for the National Minimum Wage, it is vitally important that employers that break the law are subject to sanction. Their illegal practices mean a competitive disadvantage for responsible businesses.”
“The rise in fuel duty is seen in terms of its environmental impact, but we see it as yet another blow to the forecourt convenience store operators who make very little money from the sale of fuel.”
The Chancellor referred to a White Paper scheduled for next spring to implement the recommendations of the Barker report. Mr Lowman said: “We will be pressing for the Government to acknowledge the importance of existing planning restrictions on retail development, particularly in the grocery market and calling for the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Local Government not to accept the abolition of the ‘needs’ test in assessing application for supermarket development.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Notes:
1) ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial service.
“We are disappointed that following the recent focus on the disparity of alcohol and tobacco duty rates in the EU, the Chancellor has yet again failed to address the disparity of rates between the UK and its neighbours. Every budget that passes where he fails to address this problem is another bumper year for the criminal networks that exploit the black market that disparity creates.
“We welcome the commitment to enforcement for the National Minimum Wage, it is vitally important that employers that break the law are subject to sanction. Their illegal practices mean a competitive disadvantage for responsible businesses.”
“The rise in fuel duty is seen in terms of its environmental impact, but we see it as yet another blow to the forecourt convenience store operators who make very little money from the sale of fuel.”
The Chancellor referred to a White Paper scheduled for next spring to implement the recommendations of the Barker report. Mr Lowman said: “We will be pressing for the Government to acknowledge the importance of existing planning restrictions on retail development, particularly in the grocery market and calling for the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Local Government not to accept the abolition of the ‘needs’ test in assessing application for supermarket development.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Notes:
1) ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial service.