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

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they (1) support, and (2) plan to support, independent booksellers and bookshops across the UK, including any initiatives undertaken in cooperation with local authorities and the devolved administrations.

The Government works with all types of retailers based in the UK to better understand their concerns and has taken action to support them. Specific initiatives which have benefited independent booksellers and bookshops include: making 100% Small Business Rate Relief permanent, whilst increasing the threshold of the relief, taking 600,000 of the smallest businesses out of business rates and the introduction of the Employment Allowance, giving employers up to £3000 off their National Insurance contributions (NICs) bill, benefitting 1m employers. The Government has also established the Future High Street Forum, chaired by the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth. It provides joint business and government leadership to help support new and small business to start up and compete by having regard to the costs and regulatory burdens for small retailers, whilst factoring in the opportunities of digital trends.