Time for Starmer to ‘get down to business’, says BRC

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has stated that it is time for Keir Starmer and the Labour Party to “get down to business” after he emerged victorious in the general election.

BRC chair Helen Dickinson stated that the organisation now awaits details of how Starmer will take his promises forward.

The Labour party won a landslide victory with over 400 seats and a majority of around 170 with a small number of seats still to declare at the time of writing.

Many business leaders have now called on Starmer to deliver on his manifesto promises for retail which included reforming business rates, planning and the apprenticeship levy.

The Confederation of British Industry has congratulated the new prime minister and stated that he has been given a clear mandate to take tough decisions on areas that will benefit business like planning.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI chief executive, said: “Congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party. Delivering sustainable growth should be the defining mission for the new government. Business stands ready to bring its innovation, ideas, and investment to make that shared mission a reality.

“The new prime minister has been given a clear mandate to take the tough decisions on areas like planning reform and boosting grid capacity needed to get the economy firing on all cylinders. What firms need now is a government that’s ready to hit the ground running and is laser-focused on delivery.”

Furthermore, Jacqui Baker, head of retail at RSM UK and chair of ICAEW’s Retail Group, has also called on the incoming government to stick to its promises on business rates reform.

She also criticised Labour’s decision to not include scrapping the tourist tax in its manifesto calling it “disappointing”.

She added: “While Labour have vowed to scrap the current business rates system, retailers are nervously awaiting the details on how the system will work in practice. As the biggest burden for the sector, retailers are banking on an effective overhaul that makes it fit for purpose once and for all.

“Labour’s vow to clampdown on anti-social behaviour against shop workers will go some way in providing reassurance to staff that they can feel safe at work. Crime is a growing and devastating issue in the sector, so strong measures that deter criminals and make a real difference are urgently needed.

Elsewhere, the Conservative Party saw its worst electoral performance in history losing over 200 seats while the Liberal Democrats got a record number of seats with over 70.

The Scottish National Party fell to just nine seats while the Reform Party, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru have so far picked up four seats apiece.