Lucy Powell comments on British Retail Consortium 2020 figures

“The pandemic has accelerated changes to the way we shop, threatening the future of our high streets. Yet the government continues to disadvantage bricks and mortar businesses over those online companies that have seen profits rise through this crisis.

“Business support is inadequate and the Tories’ sticking plaster solution for closed non-essential retail is worth less than in the first lockdown. Without a comprehensive long term plan to tide firms through lockdown and to recovery, the government will be responsible for losses to jobs and livelihoods.”