Retailers urge Darling to relieve pressure

Stephen Robertson, BRC director general, said: “At this difficult time for retailers and family budgets it’s vital that the Government acts to restore economic stability.”

The BRC set out a number of measures it wants the Chancellor to bring in. They include:

1. Pushing down commercial property costs
Including a block on extending local tax raising powers, such as Business Rate Supplements.

2. Encouraging employment
National minimum wage increases never to exceed average earning increases and for the Low Pay Commission to take into account difficult trading conditions.

3.Cutting basic household bills
Including the urgent introduction of zero VAT ratings for environmentally friendly and energy saving goods, such as low energy light bulbs. 4) Meeting growing children’s needs

4. Review zero VAT rating on children’s clothes
An urgent review of the current zero VAT rating of children’s clothing and shoes to ensure it reflects that children today are larger than those of earlier generations.