Oral Answers to Questions

Ian Mearns Excerpts

Monday 8th July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab)]

9. What recent discussions he has had with Mary Portas on the future of the British high street.

[Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab)]

17. What recent discussions he had with Mary Portas on the future of the British high street.

[The Minister for Housing (Mr Mark Prisk)]

Our high streets need to adapt to changing consumer habits. Ministers and officials are therefore working with a wide range of civic and business leaders, including Mary Portas, to strengthen local leadership, reform planning and parking policies, help small shops and boost local markets.

[Mr Prisk]

The key is understanding that alongside the planning regulations, there are established licensing arrangements to ensure that the kind of changes that the hon. Gentleman is concerned about—I respect the natural concerns of the community—cannot happen.

[Ian Mearns]

Even before the credit crunch, many of our high streets had shops that were struggling on the margins. At the moment, communities around the country, but particularly in areas like the north-east of England, are hard-pressed by cuts to local government expenditure, by job losses, the suppression of real incomes, cuts in benefits and fuel price rises, all of which have been sucking disposable income out of local economies. Is it any real surprise that there is a crisis on our high streets when many people have much less to spend in real terms?

[Mr Prisk]

With respect, I would say to the hon. Gentleman that this Government are ensuring that those on the lowest incomes are being taken out of tax altogether. That is very important, and it will help them and their high streets in Gateshead.