The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and another trade body have welcomed the publication of a number of new bills in the King’s Speech, delivered this morning (13 May) by King Charles III, which would support local shops with issues such as crime, energy contracts and late payments.
The traditional State Opening of Parliament sets out the Government’s legislative agenda for the year ahead. Among the 37 bills published today, five relevant to convenience stores include:
- Police Reform Bill: This will scrap Police & Crime Commissioners and aims to put more police on the streets, as well as setting up a new National Police Service for serious crimes
- Digital Access to Services Bill: This will introduce a digital ID, accessed free of charge through the GOV.UK app, aiming to “be a convenient way for people to prove who they are”
- Energy Independence Bill: This will aim to improve energy security and reduce costs, and will give Ofgem new powers to regulate energy brokers to stop unfair practices
- Competition Reform Bill: This will aim to improve the work of the CMA so that market reviews can be conducted more quickly and in a more focused way
- Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill: This will impose maximum payment terms of 60 days and mandatory interest for late payments at 8% above the Bank of England base rate
Speaking on the new bills, ACS chief executive, Ed Woodall (left), said: “Retail crime, the illicit trade and the cost of trading are three of the biggest issues facing local shops, so we welcome proposals set out in the King’s Speech today to make further progress on putting more police on the streets, protecting retailers from unfair energy contracts and ensuring that payments are made to them on time.
“The convenience sector has a long track record of leading on age restricted sales policies, most recently through our Decline09 campaign to simplify the generational tobacco ban, and we’ll continue to work closely with the government on the implementation of digital ID acceptance in stores.”
Also responding to the speech, Michelle Ovens CBE (right), CEO and founder of Small Business Britain, said: “We welcome today’s King’s Speech for its support in strengthening trading relations with the EU.
”The UK is home to 5.7m small businesses, all with ambitions to broaden their horizons, and strong international trade relationships are essential to maintaining the UK’s reputation as a leader in cultivating wealth, whilst upholding our commitment to an open economy.
“It’s also encouraging to see the Government strengthen the late payment legislation, a vital step in helping entrepreneurs maintain financial stability and continue growing their operations.”
On the wholesale side, Chief executive of Federation of Wholesale Distributors, James Bielby, welcomed the European Partnership Bill which will be used to implement agreements with the EU “now and in the future”.
“Food and drink wholesalers welcome steps to reduce unnecessary barriers to trade between the UK and EU, cut costs for businesses, and support growth across the supply chain,” said Bielby. “The proposed food and drink agreement has the potential to deliver significant benefits for wholesalers, suppliers and customers, including simpler border processes, reduced queue times, and more efficient movement of food and plants between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the EU.
“Wholesale businesses operate on tight margins and serve communities, retailers, hospitality and the public sector across the UK. Any measures that reduce friction, improve resilience and keep costs down should be progressed at pace,” he added. “It is also important that the sector has clarity on how future alignment will work in practice, including how UK businesses will be consulted and how Parliament will scrutinise new obligations.
”We look forward to working with the Government to ensure the final agreements deliver practical benefits for food and drink wholesalers and the customers they serve.”
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