All Policy & legal articles
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NewsHMV suspends new store openings following Budget tax raid
HMV has become one of the first retailers to publicly suspend new store openings across the UK, saying the Budget has made the environment too risky to invest.
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NewsBank of England governor has warned of rising unemployment ‘risk’ following Budget
The Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has warned there is a “risk” of unemployment increasing due to the effects of the recent Budget.
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NewsDeliveroo has called for riders to be protected from abuse in crime bill
Deliveroo is calling on the government to include its riders in the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill to protect them from abuse and violence from customers.
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Opinion‘Entire retail industry is scratching its head to find a way to make the numbers work post-Budget’
Unexpected extra costs imposed in the recent Budget have left retailers reeling in shock. They will need all their legendary resilience to leap the hurdles placed in their way by the government, warns Charlotte Hardie
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NewsRetail leaders call on government to ‘mitigate harmful effects’ of Budget
Leaders from across the sector have signed a letter calling on the government to phase in changes to national insurance contributions to ease the burden on the retail from the Budget.
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NewsLidl increases investment in British made food to £21bn
Discounter Lidl says it is “on track” to increase its investment in British food to £21bn by the end of the year, exceeding its original five-year target by 40%.
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AnalysisAre job cuts, store closures and inflation really inevitable after Labour’s Budget retail ram raid?
From “disappointing” to “clobbered”, the retail backlash to last month’s Budget has only grown with every passing day. The next question is what the sector will do in response?
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NewsBritish Retail Consortium warns Reeves of ‘inevitable’ job losses and price rises due to Budget
The British Retail Consortium has written to chancellor Rachel Reeves warning that her national insurance raid in the recent Budget will inevitably lead to job losses in the sector and an increase of prices for consumers.
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NewsPeel Hunt downgrades profit forecasts for six retailers due to Budget impact
Investment bank Peel Hunt has downgraded its profit forecasts for six retailers, including struggling fast fashion player Boohoo and cycling and motoring specialist Halfords, due to the effects of changes to national insurance made in the recent Budget.
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Opinion‘Grocers’ Budget anger is understandable, but passing on the pain to consumers would be unforgivable’
The supermarkets have led an uncharacteristically brutal retail response to the recent Budget. While grocers have every right to feel aggrieved, Hugh Radojev writes, they’d do well to have a good hard think before passing costs onto their consumers
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NewsTesco set for £1bn national insurance bill over four years
Supermarket chain Tesco is set to face a £1bn national insurance tax bill over the next four years following the recent Budget.
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AnalysisBudget backlash: Sainsbury’s boss warns tax rises will lead to higher prices
Despite posting surging profits and sales at the half year, Sainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts became the latest retail boss to warn that Labour’s all stick and no carrot approach to business will lead to higher prices.
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News‘Disappointing’ Budget will cost Primark ‘tens of millions’, says ABF boss
The “disappointing” Budget for UK high streets will cost fashion giant Primark “tens of millions” of pounds, according to Associated British Food’s (ABF) chief executive George Weston.
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NewsShop thefts are accompanied by ‘unprecedented levels of violence’, finds inquiry
Shop thefts are going beyond individualised offences to ‘relentless, large-scale, organised operations’ partnered with ‘unprecedented levels of violence’, finds government inquiry.
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Opinion‘How retailers operate will change post-Budget as they confront new economic reality’
‘Last week’s Budget is likely to prompt changes to the operating models of retailers as they seek to adapt to new economic realities, believes BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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AnalysisNational Insurance contributions, business rates and crime – what the Budget means for retail
Chancellor Rachel Reeves today delivered Labour’s first Budget in nearly 15 years. But what was in there for retail, and how has the sector reacted?
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NewsBudget 2025: National living wage to rise in April
The Labour government has accepted the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission to increase the national living wage to £12.21 in April 2025.
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NewsBRC calls on government to use budget to keep prices low as inflation hits lowest rates since 2021
The British Retail Consortium has urged the chancellor to help keep prices low at the Budget, as shop price growth was at its lowest rate since August 2021.
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Opinion‘Consumer sentiment is low but some retailers can still be optimistic about golden quarter’
Retailers that can make consumers feel like their purchase is essential or make products feel like an affordable treat are likely to have the greatest success this Christmas, maintains PwC’s Lisa Hooker
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NewsUK consumers 'are in a despondent mood' ahead of the Budget
Consumer confidence in the UK slipped one point in October as consumers hold their breath ahead of the government’s upcoming Budget.