Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the role of high street services in driving local footfall; and what policy measures are in place to support local town centre economies.

The Government is taking action to support high street businesses and strengthen local town centre economies through 'Hope on the High Street' - a new cross-government high streets strategy, published alongside Budget 2026.

This includes increasing business rates support, giving local authorities stronger powers to tackle vacancy, and providing £210 million to bring vacant properties back into use, support community-owned businesses and protect local assets.

The strategy supports town centres through the expansion of the Business Growth Service, including tailored support for high street businesses, alongside investment in markets, libraries and civic spaces. Together, these measures will help strengthen local economies and communities.