GENERAL ELECTION 2024
What does the general election mean for retail? Catch up on the latest policy announcements and we give a platform to retailers to have their say ahead of the vote on July 4.
What the election means for retail
Manifesto cheat sheet – what are the parties promising retail?
Exactly three weeks out from the July 4 election, most of the major parties have now released their manifestos. Retail Week has waded through the documents so you don’t have to
Currys chief people officer urges government to reform apprenticeship levy
Currys chief people, communications and sustainability officer Paula Coughlan has called on the next government to overhaul the apprenticeship levy to offer more opportunities and skills training.
‘In uncertain times, retailers must keep one eye looking beyond the UK’
Rishi Sunak is not right about much, in my opinion. But one thing he said in his speech calling the general election rang true – we live in the “most uncertain of times”.
Conservatives reintroduce Criminal Justice Bill reform in manifesto launch
The Conservatives have committed to reintroducing certain legislation that was interrupted by the dissolution of Parliament, including proposed changes to the Criminal Justice Bill.
Major retail landlord calls for rates review by next government
British Land head of asset management for retail parks, Matt Reed, has told Retail Week more needs to be done to deal with business rates.
Lib Dems pledge to replace business rates system in manifesto
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to replace the business rates system with a “commercial landowner levy” as part of their election manifesto.
New West End Company urges government to prioritise ‘three key areas’
New West End Company (NWEC) has launched a manifesto ahead of the general election, calling on the government to prioritise “three key areas” across retail.
Labour manifesto to combat retail crime and overhaul business rates
Labour is pledging laws to tackle violence against shop workers and overhaul UK business rates in its upcoming manifesto ahead of the general election.
BRC calls on political parties to ‘revitalise’ UK footfall
As the race for number 10 ramps up, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) is calling on politicians of all stripes to address the policies restricting retailers from investing in the high street in a bid to “revitalise footfall”.
How the general election will affect consumer spending
As we gear up for the general election, Retail Week looks at its likely impact on consumer spending
Retail’s election wish list: what the bosses of Ikea, AO and more want from a new government
“We need a better approach when it comes to the coordination of policy, regulation, taxation, and alignment across the UK’s nations.”
Labour says it is ‘the natural partner of business’ as more bosses back party
In her first major speech of the election campaign, the shadow chancellor described Labour as “the natural partner of business”.
‘In what will likely be a negative campaign, retail must tell a positive story’
With an election date set and the parties going into full campaigning mode, the next six weeks are likely to be dominated by negativity. To cut through the noise, retail must tell its story positively
Prime minister sets July 4 election date as Starmer calls for change
The UK is headed for an election on July 4, as both prime minister Rishi Sunak and opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer set out their parties’ stalls.
Boots CEO endorses Labour Party
Boots chief executive Seb James has endorsed the Labour Party and Sir Keir Starmer’s focus on the importance of looking after the high street.
AO boss urges government to let retailers fix ‘broken’ apprenticeship scheme
AO founder and chief executive John Roberts is calling on the government to let retailers and other businesses run their own apprenticeship schemes.
‘It will take a combined effort from retail to win over politicians of all stripes’
As a general election nears, retailers can show the next government that the key to successful leadership is to work with the industry, not against it, believes BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
AO boss calls on UK government to fix ‘broken’ youth services
AO founder and chief executive John Roberts has called on the government to fix the UK’s “broken” youth services by spending £1bn a year on youth provision over the next decade.
Currys boss warns Labour employment reforms risk making people ‘poorer’
Currys chief executive Alex Baldock has said Labour’s workers’ rights plan risks “making people inadvertently poorer”, as business leaders express doubt over the party’s reforms.
Andy Higginson: Government should treat retail with ‘more respect’
JD Sports and BRC chair, Andy Higginson said “retail is taken for granted” as he spoke about the government’s role in supporting the sector at LIVE 2024.
Sector left ‘bitterly disappointed’ as calls for reform once again fall on deaf ears
Currys boss Alex Baldock has slammed today’s Budget as “bitterly disappointing”, as the retail sector’s ongoing calls for reform on issues like business rates fell on deaf ears.
M&S boss criticises ‘economically illiterate’ business rates revaluation
Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Machin has criticised plans to raise business rates from the end of next month and lashed out at the government’s handling of the economy ahead of today’s Budget.
BRC urges chancellor to set new business rates at lower inflation levels
BRC and four other trading bodies have written to the Chancellor ahead of the spring budget urging him to align business rates rise with April inflation rates – currently at 2%.
‘We may be on the cusp of emerging from a final act of austerity’
There could well be light at the end of the tunnel for retailers, believes OC&C’s Matt Coode