Written question asked by Alex Mayer (Labour) on Monday, 13 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. It was answered by Nesil Caliskan (Labour) on Friday, 17 July 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Markets

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support independent markets in town centres.

Answer

The government recognises the important economic and social contribution that markets make to our high streets and town centres. Local authorities are empowered to make decisions on running, supporting and investing in local markets in their areas.

However, we want to ensure that markets can thrive where they are established. From 1 April 2026, we introduced permanently lower business rates multipliers for qualifying retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values below £500,000, including markets.

Communities can also choose to invest in markets through the Government’s Pride in Place programme, which will provide £20 million over 10 years to 284 of the most deprived places in the UK, empowering local people to make decisions about what is important to them, including markets.

Later this year, we will also bring forward a High Streets Strategy, backed by £301 million of support, to help turn the tide on the high streets most in need.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 18254
Session: 2026-27
Subjects: Markets Urban areas
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Markets

Secondary information

Librarians' tools