NEWS EXTRA


help rejuvenate the high street. A total of 16 shops closed each day in 2017 and this fund must be used to bring people back to the high street by addressing parking, public transport and planning issues. People’s shopping behaviours


are changing quickly and high streets need to change accordingly by incorporating a vibrant and diversified mix of retail, leisure, services and residential uses. Mr Goodacre


On the reform of the added: “BIRA


has always promoted high streets as an integral part of our local communities. Independent retail businesses provide the diversity needed on any high street. We welcome the creation of a fund that will help high streets adjust to the future needs of shoppers.”


Apprenticeship levy investment From April, large businesses will be able to invest up to 25% of their apprenticeship levy to support apprentices in their supply chain. Some employers will pay half of what they currently pay for apprenticeship training – from 10% to 5%. The Government will pay the remaining 95%.


Apprenticeship levy, the BRC’s Helen Dickinson said: “While the Chancellor’s recent announcement to review the Apprenticeship Levy is positive, retailers need action now before levy funds expire. The Levy is not fit for purpose as retailers are unable to fully utilise funds. Businesses need the lifetime of funds to be extended while standards are finalised and more flexibility to use levy funds to cover the cost of backfilling roles while apprentices are off the job. “The Budget is a missed opportunity to demonstrate that the government is prepared to work with industry to ensure apprenticeship levy reform is successful.”


Chancellor Philip Hammond spoke of the necessary action against single-use plastic in Parliament yesterday: “At the Spring Statement [I said] that we must become a world leader in tackling the scourge of plastic littering our planet and our oceans. Billions of disposable plastic drinks cups, cartons, bags and other items are used every year in Britain.”


A new tax has been introduced on the manufacture and import of plastic packaging which contains less than 30% recycled plastic, “transforming the economics of sustainable packaging.” Mr. Hammond has said he will “monitor carefully the effectiveness of the action the takeaway drinks industry is already taking to reduce single-use plastics and I will return to this issue if sufficient progress is not made.”


Helen Dickinson commented: “The UK retail industry is leading the way in protecting the environment by reducing single-use plastic and retailers will welcome the support to make this happen. “Retailers recognise how important it is to their customers to tackle plastic pollution, removing it where possible and ensuring all packaging is recyclable. For this tax to make the difference that everyone wants to see, it is essential that the revenue raised is put back into recycling innovation rather than being locked away by the Treasury. Furthermore, Government must work with businesses to ensure the recycled plastic and recycling


infrastructure is made available to support efforts to tackle plastic pollution. That is why retailers want to see reform of the recycling system. We need a producer responsibility system that incentives best practice - one that rewards retailers who use packaging that is easily recycled and penalises those that don’t change.” CEO of Market Financial Solutions,a leading UK bridging provider, Paresh Raja offered his thoughts on the Budget: “While there were some important announcements to take note of, the Chancellor fell short of delivering the ‘austerity-ending’ budget people were expecting. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise – the official date of Brexit is now just five months away, and while Number 10 has suggested that the UK’s eventual deal with EU will not affect the Budget announcement, one cannot help but be suspect. “Ultimately, as expected, there


remains a sense that we are going to have to tread water for a little bit longer as we await the final Brexit outcome and the Government can then begin making more meaningful, far-reaching reforms.”


www.diyweek.net


09 NOVEMBER 2018 DIY WEEK 11


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