Support for UK high streets

Westminster Hall debate
Janet Daby MP

19 October 2021, 4.30 pm - 5.30 pm

High street in Leeds

On 19 October 2021, Janet Daby MP led a Westminster Hall debate on support for UK high streets.

To inform her debate, she asked to hear about your experiences and ideas. She then referred to several of your contributions in her speech:

Watch the full debate:

Janet Daby MP in the debate with link to full video

The Government's response

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling UP, Housing and Communities, Neil O’Brien MP responded to the debate. He addressed the Government’s current policy agenda and future ambitions related to supporting high streets.

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

Funding and support schemes for high streets and town centres:

Plans for legislation regarding rent debts and arbitration between tenants and landlords:

Changes made to the Use Classes Order:

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

"Thank you so much to everyone who shared their experiences of their high streets and ideas of how we can improve them.
"It’s been helpful and insightful to read through your responses ahead of my debate.
"You’ll be able to watch the debate on this page from 19 October – I hope you’re able to watch."
Janet Daby MP

Introducing the debate, she gave the following statement:

"The covid-19 pandemic has brought some of the biggest challenges to our high streets since the 2008 recession.
"Many small business owners have had to close their doors for extended periods, and have seen their livelihoods diminish. There are workers who have faced reductions to their income, and consumers who have missed some of their favourite spots.
"High streets can be the pride of local communities – or they can be a source of shame if they decline.
"Do you have experiences of a struggling high street, and ideas of how we can restore vibrancy? I want to hear from you"
Janet Daby MP

For related trends and discussions on this topic, see the House of Commons Library briefings:

Your feedback

If you contributed to this exercise, please give us feedback about your experience on this two-question survey:

Open survey
Parliamentary portrait of Janet Daby 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 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.

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.

Get involved

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Photo credit: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor

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