Supporting High Streets

Aphra Brandreth Excerpts

Tuesday 4th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Aphra Brandreth (Chester South and Eddisbury) (Con)]

I draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. Like so many people across Chester South and Eddisbury, I rely on our local high street for all sorts of everyday things, from popping to the shops for groceries, to grabbing a coffee with a friend, getting a haircut, posting a parcel, or simply seeing familiar faces and feeling connected. The high street is where community happens; it is where local life comes together.

In recent weeks and months, however, countless local businesses I have spoken to say that they are working incredibly hard but struggling under the weight of rising costs, red tape and taxes. At a time when we know that the Chancellor is preparing her Budget for later in the month, this debate is more important than ever, because it already looks worryingly likely that we are heading for yet another business-busting Budget from this Labour Government. Perhaps today those on the Government Front Bench will listen carefully not just to the voices of Opposition Members, but to the small business owners in Chester South and Eddisbury who keep our high streets alive.

In my constituency there are no large supermarkets, no banks and no big chain restaurants. Our high streets are not just part of community life; they provide vital services. Supporting them is not optional, but essential. Let me give an example. No high street is really complete without a pub. Yet this Labour Government’s decisions have left the hospitality sector reeling. Last year, the Chancellor cut business rates relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, meaning that the average pub has seen its rates bill rise from around £4,000 to over £9,600 a year. Add to that the rise in employer national insurance contributions, and the frustration felt by many businesses that the burdens imposed by the Employment Rights Bill will, in practice, do the opposite of what is intended, and instead of protecting jobs, it risks making them harder to provide. This Government have created a perfect storm for pubs and hospitality businesses.

[Sir Iain Duncan Smith]

One of the biggest problems with the Employment Rights Bill is the day-one rights that it introduces, which will remove the flexibility that allows employers to decide whether someone is the right hire or not.

[Aphra Brandreth]

My right hon. Friend makes an important point, and it is one that businesses have raised with me directly. They all want to do the right thing, but they need the flexibility to be able to employ in different circumstances.

Just last week I met Richard, who runs several independent pubs across Cheshire, including the Boars Head near Wybunbury. Like many landlords, his biggest worry is not just his own business, but his staff. Because of higher costs and new employment burdens, he has been forced to make difficult choices. He is concerned that he will not be able to offer part-time jobs this Christmas to give young people some extra cash—and, more importantly, some experience—and help him meet the demands of the festive season.

[Joe Robertson (Isle of Wight East) (Con)]

My hon. Friend is speaking eloquently about pubs. Does she agree that one of the best ways to support pubs is to give them a fair excise regime, and that that falls on the Government?

[Aphra Brandreth]

Absolutely; my hon. Friend makes an important point. Supporting pubs is vital, because they really are at the heart of many of our high streets. Since last year’s Budget, tens of thousands of jobs have disappeared across hospitality and retail. That is Labour’s record, and it shows exactly why we need a Government who understand business, back enterprise and believe in delivering growth.

Another vital high-street service is the post office. As there is no bank in my constituency, post offices are indispensable, but many struggle to keep their doors open. When the branch in Kelsall shut, I launched a petition to save it; I am grateful for the support of nearly 350 residents who added their names to the petition. I have since met representatives of the post office, which is actively seeking a new location, but as our high streets shrink, and as local businesses face mounting pressures as a result of the damaging policies of this Labour Government, finding suitable premises is increasingly difficult.

[Rebecca Smith (South West Devon) (Con)]

Will my hon. Friend give way?

[Aphra Brandreth]

I will make progress.

In Malpas, the post office recently closed with no notice at all. After sustained community pressure, thanks to the dedication of our hard-working local councillor Rachel Williams, and through further discussions with Post Office Ltd, it has thankfully reopened, although at present it operates without cash services. I continue to work with it on restoring the full range of facilities, so that the many people who rely on them every day will again be able to access them.

I want to end on a positive note, supporting our Conservative vision of how we can restore and revitalise our high streets. Businesses in my constituency have welcomed the plan set out by the shadow Chancellor and the Leader of the Opposition, particularly our commitment to permanent, 100% business rates relief for the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors.

[John Slinger (Rugby) (Lab)]

Will the hon. Lady give way?

[Aphra Brandreth]

I am sorry; I need to make progress.

That policy would support around 250,000 businesses nationwide. As the Chancellor prepares her Budget for later this month, I say to her and her Ministers: “Step outside Westminster this Friday. Walk down your local high street. Speak to the shopkeepers, the publicans, the hairdressers and the café owners. Listen to their concerns, and put them at the centre of your Budget.” They should support this Conservative motion, which will deliver for our communities and our high streets.