News

ACS has welcomed measures to cap the costs retailers face when processing debit and credit cards.

MPs have spoken out against Government plans to exclude small businesses from the 5p carrier bag charge in a parliamentary debate this morning (10th March). In the debate, Dan Rogerson MP refused to acknowledge the concerns raised by both MPs and business groups, making no comment on the widespread support for a universal carrier bag charge.

ACS has called for all businesses to be included in the ban to ensure consistency for retailers and consumers alike. Under Government plans, businesses with fewer than 250 employees will be exempt from the ban.

Stephen McPartland MP visited Kishor Patel’s NISA Local Stevenage store to see the store’s 5,000 product range and implementation of in store Wi-Fi.

The Home Affairs select committee have criticised police use of out-of-court disposals, stating they are used inappropriately in up to 30% of cases.

In a report published today, the committee raised concerns that persistent and serious offences were being dealt with through out-of-court disposals when they ought to have been prosecuted at court. ACS research has shown that 1 in 4 shop thieves are repeat offenders, contributing to a £35m annual loss to the sector.

The House of Lords European Union Committee have failed to acknowledge action against duty fraud in their recommendations on the future of the EU Alcohol Strategy.

In the report, the Committee acknowledges that alcohol duty fraud costs the Exchequer £1.3bn annually, but falls short of making any specific recommendations to tackle the problem.

Nick Clegg, head of the Liberal Democrat party, has pledged that his party would extend a planned 5p charge levied on plastic bags to include all single-use bags in order to help the environment.

The plan is part of a proposed Nature Bill for the next parliament and aims to take another 3.5bn plastic bags and 328m papers bags out of circulation.

Convenience stores are fighting back against shop thieves by investing millions in crime prevention measures in their shops.

Over the last three years, the percentage of retailers who have been victims of shop theft has fallen from 91% in 2012 to 74% in 2014. The cost of shop theft to the convenience sector has also dropped significantly over the last year from £44m to £35m a year.

A report released today by the influential think tank Policy Exchange has suggested that shop theft has been 'decriminalised' because of a weak response from courts and police.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: "Shop theft is one of the biggest operational challenges retailers face and it's frustrating when we see repeat offenders getting away with fines. The only way to tackle shop theft effectively is by encouraging police and retailers to work closely together and prevent reoffending with tougher sanctions for repeat shop thieves."

ACS has called for a three year revaluation period and more transparency from the Valuation Office Agency in a bid to make the current business rates system fairer.

In a recent submission to government, ACS supports more frequent revaluations, which would make changes to business rate bills less burdensome for local shops. Businesses are currently revalued once every five years.

The Department for Communities and Local Government have disregarded many of the recommendations of the influential Communities and Local Government Select Committee inquiry into the operation of National Planning Policy Framework and ‘town centre first’ planning policy.