Lucy Powell comments on news that British retail sales saw their largest annual fall in history last year

“This should ring alarm bells in the Treasury. Any recovery will be built on sand if previously viable businesses are left to go to the wall through no fault of their own, by a government which has overseen the worst recession of any major economy.

“As we’ve long warned, the inadequate support available to businesses could lead to shuttered streets and ghost towns.

“Ministers must bring forward urgently a long term comprehensive plan which tackles the cliff edges in support businesses face, and safeguards jobs and livelihoods to secure our economy.”