// The BRC responds to yesterday’s election results
// BRC CEO says PM “must now fulfil his manifesto pledge and urgently begin a fundamental review into the broken business rates system”
// The Tories won 362 seats yesterday, a landslide victory for Boris Johnson
The BRC has urged the Prime Minister to “begin a fundamental review” of the business rates system after the Conservatives a landslide election in yesterday’s General Election.
In a statement issued today in response to the election results, the lobby group for British retailers said it “looked forward” to working with the new Boris Johnson-led government on “the many issues” facing the UK retail industry.
Yesterday, the Conservatives won 362 seats in what is the largest majority since Margaret Thatcher’s reign.
“The Prime Minister must now fulfil his manifesto pledge and urgently begin a fundamental review into the broken business rates system to relieve the burden on retail businesses and create a system fit for the 21st century,” BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said.
She also highlighted other issues the new government must address, including the Apprenticeship Levy, crime in retail, Brexit clarity, and the future of the high street.
“It is therefore important that the Apprenticeship Levy is made more flexible to enable the industry to use funds for any form of accredited training to suit its skills needs and create a workforce fit for the future,” Dickinson said.
“Equally, retailers need to see action from government to tackle retail violence. Every day, 115 people are attacked at work – no one should go to work in fear.
“It is also vital over the coming days and weeks that the Government commits to bringing clarity on the UK’s future relationship with the EU and pursues a fair deal for consumers that maintains tariff-free, frictionless trade with the EU.
“With retail conditions the toughest they have been for a decade, the Prime Minister must act to support the successful reinvention of retail locations and local communities.
“We look forward to working with Ministers on a strategy to strengthen the retail industry during this period of unprecedented change.”
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