Chancellor George Osborne has been urged to take steps to support Britain’s retail sector and the wider economy, amid concern over sluggish consumer confidence.
With Mr Osborne due to deliver his latest autumn statement this week, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) urged the government to cancel planned increases in fuel duty and business rates, as well as keeping the minimum wage “under control”.
“We're not a sector that asks for handouts but the Chancellor must take urgent action to support, not undermine, the retail growth that can drive the recovery,” said BRC director-general Stephen Robertson. “With the economy stalling, the need for the Government to deliver real growth – not just more promises – is all the more urgent.”
Mr Robertson’s comments came as the BRC published a new report compiled by Oxford Economics and the Oxford Institute of Retail Management, outlining the retail industry’s contribution to the British economy. The study found that retailers provide 10.5 per cent of all UK jobs, with 40 per cent of under-20s in employment working in the sector.
Last week, the Co-operative revealed it had increased the number of places available on its Graduate Leadership Programme in response to huge demand.
