06 July 2021

Bira has expressed disappointment that MPs voted against boosting protection for retail staff faced with escalating levels of abuse in the workplace.

Bira was one of many leading retail names to write to the Prime Minister calling him to support an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that would tackle escalating violence and abuse against retail workers.

The letter was co-signed by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the British Retail Consortium (BRC) as well as big name chains including Aldi, Asda, WH Smith, Waitrose, the Co-op Group, Sainsbury’s, Amazon, Asos, Tesco and Morrisons.

However, this part of the bill was yesterday (July 5, 2021) rejected - and won't be considered again until it goes to the House of Lords.

Andrew Goodacre, Bira's CEO, said: “This is so disappointing. Retailers, large and small, came together to present a very reasonable request and once again people in power are not listening.

"All I can suggest is that these MPs work in a shop for a weekend to experience the issues at first hand!

"We will continue to work with other organisations to achieve this legal change. In the grips of this pandemic these same MPs were very quick to call the retail worker ‘heroes’. It seems that appreciation was only short-lived.”

Bira has been fighting for better protection for retail staff. More here

The consideration of the bill was reported in the Retail Gazette here

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