The King’s Speech 17 July 2024 Statement

17 Jul 2024

Following The King’s Speech at the Houses of Parliament earlier today (17 July), a statement from our Chief Executive, Dee Corsi below.

Dee Corsi, Chief Executive, New West End Company, said:

“We welcome today’s focus on economic growth in the King’s Speech, including planning reform, a commitment to strengthen police powers regarding anti-social behaviour, and to empower local communities to make the decisions which are right for them through the English Devolution Bill.

“We are reassured that the Crime and Policing Bill will introduce a standalone offence for assaults on shopworkers, as retailers across the country have tirelessly campaigned for it.”

“However, there is much that we do not have clarity on yet. While we support the Prime Minister’s ambition to ‘take the brakes off Britain’, thorny issues, including much-needed business rates reform, a review of tax-free shopping, and ensuring police forces have the resources they require to keep our high streets safe and accessible, will require honest conversations and close public-private collaboration to find solutions.”

“As the voice of over 600 businesses, we are ready to partner with Labour on both a national and local level to deliver our shared desire to deliver growth for Britain.”

END