Prime Minister Theresa May has today announced plans to hold a General Election on June 8th this year, with the primary intention of securing a mandate to deliver the UK’s exit from the European Union.
For an election to take place, two thirds of Parliament must approve the plan. It is likely that the plans will go through, as all major parties have welcomed the Election announcement.
Speaking on the announcement, ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The election will be an opportunity for all parties to set out in manifesto pledges how they intend to support local shops in the next parliamentary term. Firstly, it is essential that action is taken to reform the business rates system and help retailers to invest. We’re also keen to ensure that environmental issues are addressed through effective policies to reduce waste that don’t overburden local shops, and believe that extending the carrier bag charge to all retailers would be a beneficial, simple and effective solution.”
“We do not believe that the minimum wage and living wage rates should be used as a bargaining tool to gain votes at the expense of hard working entrepreneurs and community businesses, and will encourage all parties to allow the Low Pay Commission to lead an independent process of setting wage rates.”
ACS is committed to working to get the best deal for local shops in the run up to the election. Some of the issues at the heart of our campaigning work with MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates are:
- Meaningful reform of the business rates system to make it fairer for different types of businesses, while ensuring that those who invest aren’t penalised for doing so
- Scrapping the expensive and time consuming proposals for a deposit return scheme for bottles and cans across England, Wales and Scotland
- Ensuring that crimes against retailers and their staff are taken seriously by the justice system and local police forces
- Strengthening the Government’s commitment to tackling the illicit trade on the ground in both alcohol and tobacco
- Introducing stronger, enforceable standards of conduct for energy companies when dealing with small businesses
ACS will be setting out its key election priorities for local shops in more detail shortly. More information about the contribution that convenience stores make in every constituency across the UK is available on request – please contact Chris Noice at [email protected] for details.
