News

Local shops are calling on MPs to support new amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill when it is debated today.

The new amendments would provide greater protections for shopworkers and address the 40,000 violent attacks in convenience stores last year.

Conservative MP Matt Vickers is proposing tougher penalties for any workers serving the public that are subject to violent attacks. Labour MPs are supporting amendments for specific attacks on shopworkers and shopworkers enforcing age restrictions.

The Treasury has launched a consultation (1^st July), seeking views on how legislation should secure long-term access to cash.

The consultation includes proposals to set a maximum distance that consumers and businesses should have to travel to deposit and access cash without a charge. 

Local shops are calling on MPs to support new amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill when it is debated next week.

The new amendments would provide greater protections for shopworkers and address the 40,000 violent attacks in convenience stores last year.

Conservative MP Matt Vickers is proposing tougher penalties for any workers serving the public that are subject to violent attacks. Labour MPs are supporting amendments for specific attacks on shopworkers and shopworkers enforcing age restrictions.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed a new report from the Work and Pensions Committee, urging the Government bring forward the Employment Bill to enhance the rights of workers in the low-paid and gig economy.

The report calls on the Government to develop a strategy for responding to long-term changes in the labour market, looking at wellbeing, skills, technology, and the availability of labour.

Findings from ACS’ 2020 Local Shop Report reveal that convenience stores provide local, flexible and secure jobs for around 412,000 people across the UK.

A new consultation has been launched by HM Treasury, proposing a framework for moving towards three-yearly revaluations of business rates from five-yearly and simplifying the appeals system.

The consultation proposes a number of new requirements on retailers, including:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed a new report from the Home Affairs Committee on violence and abuse towards retail workers, which urges the Government to do more to protect people working in local shops.

The Committee’s Inquiry into violence and abuse against retail workers, chaired by Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, was launched in December 2020, and took evidence from ACS, USDAW, the BRC, Boots and others during a series of evidence sessions earlier this year.

Content supplied by Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I: 

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) is unveiling a new text-to-win promotion across its leading soft drinks brands to help retailers take advantage of this summer’s sizzling sales opportunity. 

Marking the first time Lucozade Energy, Lucozade Sport and Ribena have come together for a consumer promotion, this in-store summer activation will run for six weeks and offers consumers the chance to win a host of unstoppable prizes when buying their favourite soft drink. 

From Sunday 18^th July, HMRC will be requiring new checks on the codes that are given to businesses to ensure that they are registered properly for the UK track and trace system.

ACS has expressed disappointment at the Government’s decision not to take forward an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that would have introduced a new offence specifically for attacking or abusing a shopworker.

The amendment, put forward at the Committee Stage of the PCSC Bill this week by Shadow Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP, would have ensured that criminals who attack shopworkers face tougher penalties, especially in cases where the shopworker has been attacked whilst enforcing the law, for example on age restricted sales.

New restrictions on the advertising of products containing high levels of fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) has been announced by the Government this morning (24 June).