BRC warns Chancellor over retail job losses |
| Wednesday, 19 November 2008 | |
 More retail jobs will be placed at risk if the government continues to raise costs for firms during the recession, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said.Retailers could be hit hard by increased business rates at a time when their margins are already being squeezed in the credit crunch, the BRC argued. In its submission to the Chancellor Alistair Darling prior to the Pre-Budget Report, the organisation said Empty Property Rates Relief should be re-introduced and the Business Rates Revaluation (planned for 2010) should be postponed. Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco chief executive, made a similar plea about rates last week. BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: "The government should revise its plans to batter retailers with a range of extra burdens which can only increase the pressure on them and ultimately push up shop prices. "Conditions are tough for customers and retailers and they'll be tougher through 2009. Our latest Retail Sales Monitor shows like-for-like sales have now fallen in seven of the last eight months. "85% of customers believe we are already in recession and are reining in spending to match." Increases in the National Minimum Wage should be within future average earnings rises, Robertson added. Today, Lord Mandelson will launch a new campaign informing workers about wage and rights changes. Related Articles
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