Lack of brick-and-mortar retail support in Autumn Statement says Usdaw

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: “Today the Chancellor delivered an Autumn Statement which was long on spin and short on the change our members so desperately need. Increases on minimum wage rates and in-work social security still lag behind the horrendous price increase workers have suffered and still do not provide a living wage that takes account of the cost of living, even with a lowering of national insurance. He is deluded when he says they have ended low pay.

“Usdaw had urged the government to take decisive action to support our high streets and in-store retail, including the introduction of an online sales tax, to level the playing field for businesses, but they haven’t done that.

“Extending support on business rates is welcome but doesn’t go anywhere near far enough. In the last year, despite a business rates discount for retail, over 67,000 retail workers have lost their jobs, with nearly 5,500 retail stores shutting up shop.

“This continued sticking plaster approach isn’t good enough, we still need an industrial strategy for retail.”