BRC tells Lord Mandelson: end ‘wish-list politics’

In his speech at the British Retail Consortium’s Annual Retail Industry Dinner tonight Mayhew will urge ministers to “focus on what is essential and not what seems politically nice to do”.

Though Mayhew is expected to praise the government for “its part in helping maintain consumer demand” he will warn that fragile consumer confidence must now “not be taken for granted”.

Consequently, Mayhew will urge ministers to “really do the maths and assess the real economic cost and returns” of future tax increases and regulations.

Mayhew is expected to highlight four key concerns: 2011’s National Insurance increase of 0.5%, compulsory carrier bag charges in Wales, the proposed supermarket Ombudsman and the strain that compulsory gender pay-gap reporting will have on retailers.

Mayhew is expected to stress that the retail sector has the power to play a key role in the country’s economic recovery and help to reduce unemployment. However he will warn that this can only occur if the government also plays its part by not applying additional costs.