Toby Perkins MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Small Business, responding to the BIS Select Committee’s report on the Retail Sector, said:

“The BIS Committee is right to emphasise the importance of the retail sector and to focus on the spiralling cost of business rates under the Tory-led government.

“At a time when families are facing a cost-of-living crisis, businesses have been hit by rising costs too. Under David Cameron small firms have seen hikes in business rates of £1,500 on average and many will see further rises next month. In contrast, the next Labour government will cut and then freeze business rates to give firms a much-needed boost. More than 1.5 million business premises including shops as well as workshops and start-ups would benefit under Labour’s plans.

“Labour’s retail champion Bill Grimsey is meeting retailers across Britain to discuss Labour’s plans and how the next Labour government can support the sector, building on the success of Small Business Saturday which Labour initiated.”

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