'Measures to drive long-term growth are important': BRC responds to King's Speech

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has responded to the King's Speech, which was held in Parliament today, 13 May.

The King's Speech is an annual constitutional and ceremonial event that marks the State Opening of Parliament in London. In the speech, the monarch, King Charles, sets out the Government's agenda for the coming year.

Responding to the King's Speech, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, urged the government to take charge to reduce costs for businesses, praised the "golden opportunity" of forging closer ties with the European Union, and commented on the "major issue" represented by retail crime.

Dickinson said: "The King’s Speech comes as households face yet another cost-of-living squeeze, as the Middle East conflict drives up inflation and prices. Government cannot raise living standards without reducing the costs of doing business.

"In the face of a looming inflationary storm sparked by the Iran crisis, government must act now to tackle rising energy, tax and regulatory costs at a time when many households are struggling to keep their heads above water.

"Measures to drive long-term sustainable growth are important, but there is no excuse for allowing politics to get in the way of the immediate action needed."

On the European Partnership Bill, she commented: "Forging closer ties with the European Union is a golden opportunity to reduce friction and red tape for food businesses. Reducing friction in EU trade will benefit businesses and consumers, but only if these businesses are able to swiftly reach a state of compliance in Great Britain and Northern Ireland."

On the Energy Independence Bill, she said: "Higher energy costs for retailers ultimately mean higher prices for consumers, and while the Government can’t control global energy prices, it can influence the prices paid by businesses."

On the Energy Independence Bill, she said: "Higher energy costs for retailers ultimately mean higher prices for consumers, and while the Government can’t control global energy prices, it can influence the prices paid by businesses."

She added that she was disappointed to see that the Bill "failed" to provide any measures to reduce energy costs for retailers or lessen the impact of increasing non-commodity costs, which account for up to 65% of retailers’ energy bills.

On the Police Reform Bill, she highlighted the "major issue" that retail crime still poses, "costing retailers and their customers hundreds of millions every year, and resulting in over 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse every day".

She spoke positively about the new Bill, which promises to deploy more police officers in local neighbourhoods to tackle everyday crime and anti-social behaviour, adding that this was "essential to tackling soaring rates of both shoplifting and violence in retail stores".