ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the Kings’ Speech, welcoming a Bill to support retail workers that have been victims of assault.  

The Kings’ Speech is the first major opportunity for the new Labour Government to set out its legislative agenda for the coming year. While there are a number of new Bills included in the speech, there are also several measures that have been revived from the previous Parliament. These include legislation to introduce a generational tobacco ban and restrict the availability of vaping products (Tobacco and Vapes Bill) and introduce a new separate offence for assaulting a retail worker (Crime and Policing Bill). 

A summary of some of the key legislation announced in the Kings’ Speech relevant to convenience stores includes: 

Employment Rights Bill: Intended to deliver on Labour’s commitment to ‘make work pay’ by banning exploitative zero hours contracts; strengthening in-work benefits such as statutory sick pay, parental leave and protection from unfair dismissal; making flexible working the default from day one for all workers; and establishing a single enforcement body known as the Fair Work Agency, to strengthen enforcement of workplace rights. In addition to the provisions of the Bill, the Government is also planning to remove the age bands for the National Living Wage and introduce a ‘genuine living wage’ that accounts for the cost of living. 

Crime and Policing Bill: Intended to reduce the level of serious violence and increase levels of confidence in the Criminal Justice System through the introduction of a range of measures, including the introduction of a separate offence for assaulting a retail worker, stronger measures to tackle low level shoplifting, and rebuilding neighbourhood policing  in communities. 

Tobacco and Vapes Bill: Intended to deliver on the Government’s manifesto commitment to introduce a progressive smoking ban and stop vapes being branded and advertised to appeal to children. Measures in the Bill include a generational tobacco ban set to come into force in 2027, further restrictions on vaping products, and stronger enforcement activity from Trading Standards. 

Product Safety and Metrology Bill: Intended to update the rules on product safety and weights and measures to ensure that the UK can keep pace with technological change and product innovation post-Brexit. 

The Kings Speech also included reference to Labour manifesto commitments on banning the sale of energy drinks to under 16s, and introducing a ban on the advertising of HFSS (high fat, salt or sugar) products to children, although these were not specifically attached to new legislation. 

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We strongly welcome the Government’s commitment to take action on the assaults of retail workers, which local shops have been calling for over many years. We are also encouraged by the specific reference to tackling shoplifting, which is the blight of so many communities and funds the activity of gangs, addicts and dangerous criminals. 

“There are a number of measures that retailers will have to change their stores and processes to accommodate, including those set out in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the Employment Rights Bill and the Product Safety and Metrology Bill, as well as the plans to restrict the sale of energy drinks. It is essential that the Government works closely with the retail sector in this parliament to ensure that these measures can be introduced effectively, without the unintended consequence of delaying or reversing growth and investment by businesses.”

The full text of the Kings’ Speech is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-kings-speech-2024 

A full list of the Bills announced in the speech is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669791c549b9c0597fdafe63/King_s_Speech_2024_background_briefing_notes.pdf