Campaign Focus | Media Coverage & The Budget

Hello,

I have a few key updates to share on Bira's recent advocacy work.

Media coverage

We continue to feature in many trade magazines, local and national press on the issues that are most important to independent retailers – business rates, retail crime and the cost of running a business.

We have been on LBC discussing what high street businesses need form the budget. Andre emphasised the need to ensure that costs do not increase and from business rates to be reduced as promised last year by this government. Andrew also did 2 local BBC radio interviews discussing the impact of retail crime on shop owners and employees

Budget  - October 28th

Bira has submitted its initial response to the Chancellor regarding this year’s budget. This was the first opportunity to influence the Chancellor before the budget on the 38th October. The main areas of cous were

i.    Reduction in business rates for all independents
ii.    Wages to rise by no more that the forecast inflation for April 2027
iii.    Increase in the both the employers NI allowance, the threshold at which employers NI is due
iv.    More flexible energy supply contracts allowing smaller business to change supplier much easier
v.    Continued investment in neighbourhood policing with a real focus on the illegal shops that are a spiling high streets around the country

We will continue to campaign on the issues over the next 6 weeks

Government thinktank

Bira attended a government think tank on revitalising high streets. Bira was the only body representing retail at this meeting, further evidence of our growing influence on this topic. Other stakeholders included academics, purpose driven businesses, community businesses and private investors. It was a very wide ranging discussion and the second one will take place early October.

Thank you.

Andrew