Employment and the high street

7 December 2022

On Wednesday 7 December 2022, Catherine West MP led a Westminster Hall debate entitled 'Employment and the high street'.

To inform it, she asked to hear about your experiences.

During the debate, she thanked those who responded to the survey:

"As part of my planning for the debate, the excellent House of Commons Chamber Engagement Team asked high street customers and small business owners about their town centres, and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the 344 contributors whose voices I hope to amplify today."
Catherine West MP

Points raised by contributors were highlighted in the debate, and several stories were quoted directly:

Transcript

If you took part in this activity, please answer two quick questions about your experience:

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The Government's response

Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kevin Hollinrake MP, responded to the debate. He addressed the Government’s current policy agenda and future ambitions related to the debate topic.

Watch or read his full speech for details on a range of topics including:

Further information: House of Commons Library summary of the 2022 Autumn Statement

Provision of £50 million a year in subsidies to assist post offices
The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill which gives new powers to local authorities to require landlords to rent out long-term vacant commercial premises to prospective tenants

Further information: House of Commons Library briefing on the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill

Clause 47 of the Financial Services and Markets Bill which gives the Financial Conduct Authority new powers to require provision of access to cash
He also said: “We have been clear that there will be further support for some vulnerable sectors. The details of that support will be announced by the end of the year.”

For an overview of Government policy, see research briefings from the House of Commons Library:

Retail sales: Key Economic Indicators (November 2022)
Employment – National: Key Economic Indicators (November 2022)
Local growth funds (July 2022)
Town centre regeneration (December 2021)
The future of the high street (December 2020)

Ahead of the debate, Catherine West MP gave the following statement:

"Small Business Saturday is a chance to celebrate the brilliant small businesses that make our communities special.

"But in my constituency of Hornsey & Wood Green and across the country, our small businesses and our high streets have had a tough few years. A pandemic, the cost of living, increased bills, staff shortages and supply chain issues have all had an impact.

"High streets are changing as people switch to shopping online – or find themselves forced to as banks and shops close their doors.

"In my debate I will be raising a number of issues about employment and high streets with a government minister. Your experiences and ideas would provide some valuable context:

"How would you describe your local high street and any issues it might be facing?

"If you’re a small business owner, what kind of support would be helpful to keep your business open?

"And if you’re a customer, what would you like from our high streets to keep them vibrant and attract your custom?"
Catherine West MP

Parliamentary portrait of Catherine West MP

What is a Westminster Hall Debate?

Westminster Hall debates take place in the Grand Committee Room in the House of Commons.

They give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister.

Debates in Westminster Hall take place on ‘general debate' motions expressed in neutral terms. These motions are worded ‘That this House has considered [a specific matter]'. 

How Parliament works: Westminster Hall debates.

How your contributions are shared

In these exercises, members of the public who have signed relevant petitions or are subscribed to related parliamentary newsletters are invited to share their experiences and ideas.

These are passed on to the MP leading the debate, who may refer to them directly in their speeches.

Find other petitions on the Petitions website, or see more examples of public contributions being used in debates below

Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for latest info on free activities online and around the UK to help you get involved and make a difference.

What happens next?

If you shared your email in the survey, we’ll send you an update after the debate with links to watch it, read the transcript, and information about the Government's response.