Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support high street retailers facing rising cost pressures, including increases in employer National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage; and what assessment they have made of the adequacy of existing support measures for preventing further store closures.

The government is introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties worth nearly £900 million per year, benefiting over 750,000 properties. We are also implementing a £4.3 billion support package over three years to protect businesses from bill increases following the 2026 revaluation.

The Employment Allowance has more than doubled to £10,500, ensuring that over half of businesses with National Insurance liabilities will either gain or see no change this financial year. We also launched a Small Business Plan aimed at removing barriers holding back businesses and breathing new life into high streets.