A new consultation has been launched by HM Treasury, proposing a framework for moving towards three-yearly revaluations of business rates from five-yearly and simplifying the appeals system.
The consultation proposes a number of new requirements on retailers, including:
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed a new report from the Home Affairs Committee on violence and abuse towards retail workers, which urges the Government to do more to protect people working in local shops.
The Committee’s Inquiry into violence and abuse against retail workers, chaired by Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, was launched in December 2020, and took evidence from ACS, USDAW, the BRC, Boots and others during a series of evidence sessions earlier this year.
From Sunday 18th July, HMRC will be requiring new checks on the codes that are given to businesses to ensure that they are registered properly for the UK track and trace system.
ACS has expressed disappointment at the Government’s decision not to take forward an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that would have introduced a new offence specifically for attacking or abusing a shopworker.
The amendment, put forward at the Committee Stage of the PCSC Bill this week by Shadow Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP, would have ensured that criminals who attack shopworkers face tougher penalties, especially in cases where the shopworker has been attacked whilst enforcing the law, for example on age restricted sales.
New restrictions on the advertising of products containing high levels of fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) has been announced by the Government this morning (24 June).
The new polymer £50 note has entered circulation today (Wednesday 23rd June), featuring the scientist Alan Turing.
ACS is urging retailers to ensure that they aware of the notes’ security features as it begins to be used by customers.
The polymer £50 note contains advanced security features, including:
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on MPs to back an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill that would make assaulting a retail worker a specific offence.
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling for a cautious approach to increasing the National Living Wage (NLW) and other statutory minimum wage rates in 2022/23 to allow the labour market and economy to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
Informed by ACS’ National Living Wage Survey 2021, ACS’ submission recommends that the Low Pay Commission (LPC) should consider extending the timetable for NLW reaching two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, which is currently projected to be £10.33.
Findings from ACS’ National Living Wage Survey 2021 show that:
Pop into your local town centre, or look online, and you’ll see countless adverts for jobs in hospitality. Pubs, hotels and restaurants are facing acute staff shortages with the continuation of the furlough scheme until September, the loss of some potential workers from the EU who may feel less able or inclined to come to work in post-Brexit Britain, and the additional time lags and hassle brought about by Covid testing regimes. All this adds up to another blow to hospitality which is of course at the sharp end of the pandemic in any case.
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is urging retailers to ensure that they are prepared for the introduction of the new polymer £50 and are aware of its security features.
The polymer £50 note contains advanced security features, including:
