Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of potential changes to the level of high street retailing in the next five years.

This Government recognises that High Street retailing is evolving, but high streets remain a crucial part of our local and regional economies, creating jobs, nurturing small businesses and injecting billions of pounds into our economy.

Under current assessments, the majority of employment remains in high street retail. 95% of retail jobs related to traditional retailers in 2017, with 5% of jobs accounted for by online only retailers.

To make assessments of potential changes, we have assembled an industry led expert panel focusing on what consumers and local communities want from their high streets of the future. In conjunction with the expert panel, evidence sessions are also being held across the country. We want to know what the public, and young people in particular, want from their high streets of the future. The responses will be considered by the expert panel and help to inform their recommendations.