The Labour Party has unveiled its manifesto, promising significant reforms for fashion retail ahead of the upcoming general election on 4 July.
- One major proposal is to replace the current business rates system with a fairer alternative aimed at encouraging high street investment.
- Retail crime will be addressed with new offences specifically protective of shopworkers, tackling lenience in existing penalty thresholds.
- Labour commits to enhancing youth employment opportunities, ensuring access to training, apprenticeships, job search support, and work experience.
- A shift in trade agreements is planned, seeking alliances with India and the Gulf, yet refraining from rejoining the EU single market.
The Labour Party has presented its manifesto as a forward-thinking vision for fashion retail in anticipation of the 4 July general election. The manifesto proposes replacing the current business rates system, which is considered detrimental to high street investments. The new system aims to create a fairer revenue collection method and enhance equality between high street businesses and online operators, while also addressing the issue of unoccupied properties. However, the manifesto does not detail the nature of the proposed replacement.
Addressing the issue of increasing retail crime, Labour has pledged to protect retail employees with the creation of a new offence specifically targeting assaults on shopworkers. This measure is intended to eliminate the perceived immunity from shoplifting currently embedded in the legislation by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014. The Act’s current stipulations classify shoplifting as a serious offence only when goods worth over £200 are involved, a loophole widely exploited. Labour’s stance aligns with retail sector demands for stricter laws governing smaller-scale shoplifting incidents.
Labour’s proposal also tackles youth unemployment, promising guaranteed access to training and apprenticeships, supported by job search assistance and two weeks of work experience for young adults aged 18 to 21. This initiative is a bid to build a resilient future workforce.
In terms of trade, Labour seeks to secure free trade agreements with India and the Gulf Cooperation Council, departing from the Liberal Democrats’ promise to re-enter the EU single market. Unlike the return proposed by the Liberal Democrats, Labour has ruled out rejoining the EU’s single market and customs union, instead advocating for an EU-UK mutual recognition agreement for professional qualifications.
Labour’s manifesto unveils a transformative approach to key retail issues, underlining a commitment to fairness and opportunity.
