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Answering member
X
Hazel Blears
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
Answering member
More
Blears, Hazel (14)
Legislative stage
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My hon. Friend has an excellent record, through her membership of the all-party small shops group, on making the case for our local town centres. She will know that last week the Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport and I did some joint work to try to find alternative uses for empty shops, such as for rehearsal spaces or arts activities. The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills is also interested in local, flexible, informal learning centres in our shopping precincts. We are considering standard legal documentation, temporary leases and other practical measures to give businesses real help during this difficult time.
My hon. Friend has an excellent record, through her membership of the all-party small shops group, on making the case for our local town centres. She will know that last week the Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport and I did some joint work to try to find alternative uses for empty shops, such as for rehearsal spaces or arts activities. The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills is also interested in local, flexible, informal learning centres in our shopping precincts. We are considering standard legal documentation, temporary leases and other practical measures to give businesses real help during this difficult time.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Nia Griffith
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
I am sure that the Secretary of State will be well aware of the economic pressures facing businesses, and I wonder what more her Department can do to encourage more flexible use of shop premises so that we do not see lots of empty shops in our town centres.
Subjects
Business; Government assistance; Shops
Date
21 April 2009
Reference
491 c145
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Nia Griffith
(Labour)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topical questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 April 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed.
Subjects
Business; Government assistance; Shops
Date
21 April 2009
Reference
491 c145; 269434
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The hon. Gentleman raises an important point in the current economic circumstances—trying to ensure that properties in our town centres are let is about not only income for the business, but the vibrancy of the town centre. Clearly, many of the negotiations are private ones between landlords and tenants, so the Government are not in a position to intervene in those circumstances. Trying to provide as many incentives as we can to ensure that properties remain let is a high priority for us and for local authorities, and we will certainly examine whether we can give further assistance.
The hon. Gentleman raises an important point in the current economic circumstances—trying to ensure that properties in our town centres are let is about not only income for the business, but the vibrancy of the town centre. Clearly, many of the negotiations are private ones between landlords and tenants, so the Government are not in a position to intervene in those circumstances. Trying to provide as many incentives as we can to ensure that properties remain let is a high priority for us and for local authorities, and we will certainly examine whether we can give further assistance.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Andrew George
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
What can Ministers do about the impact of the well-established practice of upward-only rent reviews, particularly on our town centre shops? As such reviews are accompanied by upward-only rate increases, they are making a major contribution to business exodus from our town centres and creating ghost town centres during the downturn.
Subjects
Shops; Rents
Date
20 January 2009
Reference
486 c620
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I can tell my hon. Friend that excellent progress is being made on the multi-area agreement for the five Olympic London boroughs. They have come together to work co-operatively—dare I say it, as never before—and they are making great progress. They are concentrating on skills, employment and raising the aspirations and ambition of young people in the area, and that will make a significant difference to her constituents for the future.
I can tell my hon. Friend that excellent progress is being made on the multi-area agreement for the five Olympic London boroughs. They have come together to work co-operatively—dare I say it, as never before—and they are making great progress. They are concentrating on skills, employment and raising the aspirations and ambition of young people in the area, and that will make a significant difference to her constituents for the future.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Brown of Silvertown
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
Will my right hon. Friend tell me what progress is being made on the multi-area agreement for the Olympic boroughs? Can she tell me what difference she thinks it will make to my constituents?
Subjects
Shops; Rents
Date
20 January 2009
Reference
486 c620
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Andrew George
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topical questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 January 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed.
Subjects
Shops; Rents
Date
20 January 2009
Reference
486 c620; 248968
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the (a) Pub Watch and (b) Shop Watch scheme in Workington; and what measures he plans to take to strengthen each scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the (a) Pub Watch and (b) Shop Watch scheme in Workington; and what measures he plans to take to strengthen each scheme.
Asked by
Tony Cunningham
(Labour)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
2 March 2005
For answer on
14 March 2005
Answered on
14 March 2005
Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the
(a) pub watch and (b) shop watch scheme in Workington; and what measures he plans to take to strengthen each scheme.
[220453]
Ms Blears: [holding answer 7 March 2005]: Examples of partnership working, such as the pub and shop watch schemes in
Workington, can contribute significantly to reducing levels of retail crime as well as combating alcohol-related violence and
disorder.
The Government are working with the British Retail Consortium to increase the number and effectiveness of such partnerships, and has
provided £899,000 to the Action against Business Crime (AABC) group to form a national association and set up 100 new business crime
partnerships.
The North West regional manager for AABC has identified Workington as a strong scheme and a priority area for development. AABC are
meeting with the Workington Town Centre Manager, alongside those from neighbouring towns, to encourage and assist the towns to
achieve the Safer Business Award which will help identify Workington as a safer town centre and a successful, well run partnership.
Pub watches, like the one in Workington, can particularly help to keep troublemakers from pubs and clubs as well as providing early
warning to bar staff, door staff and the police of instances of possible disorder. The Government welcome the contribution that pub
watches can make to tackling alcohol-related violence and disorder.
Subjects
Crime prevention; Business; Public houses; Shops; Retail trade; Workington
Date
14 March 2005
Reference
432 c59W; 220453
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of (a) the average cost per incident of theft, (b) the average loss per completed burglary and (c) the average loss per completed robbery to the retail sector in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002 and (iii)...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of (a) the average cost per incident of theft, (b) the average loss per completed burglary and (c) the average loss per completed robbery to the retail sector in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002 and (iii)...
Asked by
Stephen O'Brien
(Conservative)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 November 2004
For answer on
21 December 2004
Answered on
21 December 2004
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of (a) the average cost
per incident of theft, (b) the average loss per completed burglary and (c) the average loss per completed robbery to
the retail sector in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002 and (iii) 2003; what the level of incidence of (A) violence against staff and (B) completed
robbery in the retail sector was in each year; and if he will make a statement. [202140]
Ms Blears: The Home Office does not collect these figures on a regular basis. However a commercial victimisation survey was carried
out in 2002 which covered the incidence and cost of crime suffered by retailers in the preceding 12 months. A summary of the
findings of that survey was published on the 26 November and is available on the Home Office website
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/ rfpubs1.html. A detailed report of the findings is due to be published in spring 2005.
The British Retail Consortium carry out a regular survey of their members. Relevant findings from their annual surveys are set out
as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Average value of Average stock loss Incidents of Average loss per Incidents of
goods stolen by per completed robbery per 100 robbery violence per 1,000
customers burglary outlets staff
2001 111 1,858 6 1,003 7
2002 88 2,722 5 1,967 6
2003 162 4,881 8 1,677 7
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Source: BRC 10 Annual Survey and 11 Annual Survey
The Government recognises the detrimental impact that crime can have on retailers, their staff and the communities they serve and is
taking positive action to reduce it.
On 12 October 2004 I met with senior retailers and their trade associations to discuss the key issues faced by retailers and
to seek their views on joint action to reduce retail crime. Actions coming out of this will build on the work already under way.
The Home Office has supported the work of the British Retail Consortium in developing retail crime reduction partnerships and is
providing 899 of funding for them to set up the Action Against Business Crime (AABC) Group. This Group will provide a national
network of business crime reduction partnerships in town and shopping centres across England and Wales. 100 new partnerships will be
set up in addition to the 100 or so already established, who will be provided with a support network.
Recognising that a large proportion of retail crime is drug related, pilot outreach schemes have been set up, with £170,000 Home
Office funding, in Brighton and Northampton to tackle the link between retail crime and drugs misuse.
We have recently completed the "Small Retailers in Deprived Areas' initiative which provided £15 million of government
funding to the most vulnerable businesses to enable them to install security measures. Over 12,500 businesses benefited from the
scheme which also included a training programme on crime reduction for retailers.
Advice on crime reduction information is available from the Home Office produced postcards "Don't Discount Crime" and "Putting Crime
out of Business", both of which provide easily accessible crime reduction advice to small businesses. These are available on the
Home Office website. The Health and Safety Executive has also produced specific advice on managing the risk of work related
violence.
Retailers can obtain further specific advice and assistance on crime reduction from the Business Crime Reduction Advisers based in
each of the Government Offices, the Home Office website and their trade associations.
From November 2004 the police will be able to issue fixed penalty notices for some cases of retail or commercial theft. This will
ensure that more minor incidents of such theft are dealt with quickly and effectively and the 80 penalty will act as a strong
deterrent for first time offenders.
Subjects
Crime prevention; Crime; Crimes of violence; Costs; Government assistance; Staff; Shops; Retail trade; Theft; Shoplifting; Robbery
Date
21 December 2004
Reference
202140; 428 c1546-7W;428 c1544-5W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action the Government has taken or will be taking to tackle violence against retail staff.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action the Government has taken or will be taking to tackle violence against retail staff.
Asked by
Lord Cotter
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
12 October 2004
For answer on
25 October 2004
Answered on
25 October 2004
Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Government (a) have taken and
(b) will take to tackle violence against retail staff. [191508]
Ms Blears: The Government believe that everyone has the right to go about their work without the threat of violence and abuse, and
this is why we fully support the USDAW "Freedom from Fear" campaign to promote the safety of shop workers.
Advice on managing work-related violence, including specific guidance for the retail sector, has been published by the Health and
Safety Executive and can be accessed via their website www.hse.gov.uk.
The Home Office has also provided assistance through the provision of a training programme, earlier this year, which covered all
aspects of security, including protecting staff and dealing with potentially violent situations. Over 440 people attended these
courses which were run across the country.
Other Government policies to tackle alcohol misuse related crime or antisocial behaviour such as the `Together' campaign, will all
contribute towards decreasing violent crime in the workplace.
We are also supporting innovative projects to give confidence and training to shopworkers such as the ShopWatch scheme in London,
where shopworkers volunteer to be trained as Special Constables, receiving paid leave from their employers to patrol the shopping
area during trading hours.
Subjects
Crime; Crimes of violence; Staff; Shops; Retail trade; Violence
Date
25 October 2004
Reference
425 c1011-2W;425 c1010-1W; 191508
House
House of Commons
(Pursuant to reply on 10.03.2004 at 418 c1572W) To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the progress made towards local crime reduction targets in each area participating in the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas scheme. (Figure corrected.)
(Pursuant to reply on 10.03.2004 at 418 c1572W) To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the progress made towards local crime reduction targets in each area participating in the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas scheme. (Figure corrected.)
Asked by
Mark Oaten
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
1 September 2004
Answered on
1 September 2004
Subjects
Crime prevention; Disadvantaged; Standards; Security; Small businesses; Shops; Retail trade
Date
1 September 2004
Reference
160202; 424 c846W;424 c844-5W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the progress made towards local crime reduction targets in each area participating in the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas scheme. - Inc figure. (Correction on 01.09.2004 at 424 c846W)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the progress made towards local crime reduction targets in each area participating in the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas scheme. - Inc figure. (Correction on 01.09.2004 at 424 c846W)
Asked by
Mark Oaten
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
4 March 2004
For answer on
10 March 2004
Answered on
10 March 2004
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress made towards local
crime reduction targets in each area participating in the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas scheme. [160202]
Ms Blears: In June 2001, the Home Secretary announced funding of £15 million over three years for a project to improve the
security of small retailers in the 10 most deprived areas throughout England and Wales.
Individual projects are developed by local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships in conjunction with Regional Home Office
Directors. Part of this process is to ensure adequate local targets have been set, and systems put in place to measure performance
against them.
A detailed evaluation of the scheme is currently under way and will be completed in the autumn. The findings, which will be widely
disseminated, will identify effective interventions that have been shown to have a beneficial impact on crime against small
retailers. The evaluation will also examine other ways in which the scheme has impacted upon businesses and the surrounding retail
environment--such as the fear of crime among business, fear of crime among customers, business viability and partnership working.
Subjects
Crime prevention; Disadvantaged; Standards; Security; Small businesses; Shops; Retail trade
Date
10 March 2004
Reference
160202; 418 c1572W;418 c1574W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much money has been invested, and how many retailers have benefited, (a) in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, (b) in the North East and (c) in total from the Capital Modernisation Fund to assist small retailers in deprived areas;...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much money has been invested, and how many retailers have benefited, (a) in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, (b) in the North East and (c) in total from the Capital Modernisation Fund to assist small retailers in deprived areas;...
Asked by
Ashok Kumar
(Labour)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 December 2003
For answer on
5 January 2004
Answered on
5 January 2004
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much money has been invested, and how many retailers have
benefited, (a) in Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (b) in the north-east and (c) in total from the Capital Modernisation
Fund to assist small retailers in deprived areas; [144746]
(2) what plans there are to develop the Capital Modernisation Fund to assist small retailers in deprived areas; and if he will make
a statement. [144747]
Ms Blears: Over the three years of the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas Initiative (2001-04) £120,000 has been provided to
Middlesbrough Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to improve the security and immediate environment of approximately 19
individual shops and essential businesses. £76,000 has been allocated to the Redcar and Cleveland Partnership helping 23 businesses.
These two partnerships cover the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.
A total of £1,241,018 has been provided to the North East region benefiting at least 1,319 shops.
This project has enabled £14.5 million to be allocated to projects in England and Wales, providing assistance to over 12,500 shops.
Many more will have benefited indirectly from this funding. A small amount of the fund (£0.5) has been used for evaluation and
running costs.
As part of the small retailers' scheme we are providing a national security training package for small businesses in crime
prevention and reduction. The Association of Convenience Stores have been selected to run the scheme on behalf of the Home Office
from December 2003 to March 2004. The training will target nearly 600 key people in local businesses nation-wide through 28
seminars. Seminars will be held in Middlesbrough on 20 January 2003 and in Redcar and Cleveland on 21 January 2003.
The SRDA initiative is a three year initiative which concludes at the end of March 2004. Financial provision for similar
interventions to continue, if Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships wish, is made in the Building Safer Communities fund.
We will ensure that the successes of this initiative are disseminated widely and point to effective interventions which have been
shown to have a beneficial impact on crime.
Subjects
Crime prevention; Disadvantaged; Finance; Grants; Security; Small businesses; Shops; Retail trade
Date
5 January 2004
Reference
144746;144747; 416 c100-1W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions his Department has had with the Treasury on measures to aid retailers' investment in specified security equipment for stores under 3,000 square feet. - (Holding answer 3 December 2003).
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions his Department has had with the Treasury on measures to aid retailers' investment in specified security equipment for stores under 3,000 square feet. - (Holding answer 3 December 2003).
Asked by
Jim Cunningham
(Labour)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 November 2003
For answer on
4 December 2003
Answered on
4 December 2003
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with the Treasury
on measures to aid retailers' investment in specified security equipment for stores under 3,000 square feet. [140862]
Ms Blears: [holding answer 3 December 2003]: My officials have consulted Treasury colleagues on the possible use of tax incentives
to encourage the installation of physical security measures by businesses. However, we are not convinced that a tax incentive scheme
is the best way to help small retailers facing crime problems. In particular, it could be perceived as unfair in that it would offer
no assistance to businesses (arguably those in most need of help) that do not make enough profit to pay corporation tax. We also
understand that the administration and compliance costs of such a system (to both businesses and the Government) would be high.
However, the Home Office has received £15 million funding from the Treasury's Capital Modernisation Fund for the Small Retailers in
Deprived Areas initiative. By the end of this year, this scheme will have provided security measures and environmental improvements
to over 12,500 small retailers and businesses in some of our most deprived areas. Part of the evaluation of this scheme will assess
the effect this funding will have had in promoting the benefits of crime reduction and encouraging the recipients and others to take
forward further crime reduction activity.
Subjects
Crime prevention; Equipment; Security; Small businesses; Tax allowances; Shops; Retail trade; Treasury; Departmental coordination
Date
4 December 2003
Reference
140862; 415 c155W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding is available to finance the introduction of CCTV cameras in (a) schools and (b) town centres; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures. (HOlding answer 27 October 2003).
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding is available to finance the introduction of CCTV cameras in (a) schools and (b) town centres; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures. (HOlding answer 27 October 2003).
Asked by
Laurence Robertson
(Conservative)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 October 2003
For answer on
3 November 2003
Answered on
3 November 2003
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding is available to finance the introduction
of CCTV cameras in (a) schools and (b) town centres; and if he will make a statement. [134595]
Ms Blears :[holding answer 27 October 2003]: The Crime Reduction Programme Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Initiative funded 684
CCTV schemes across England and Wales. The main areas covered by these schemes were town centres/shopping centres, car parks,
residential areas, community shopping areas, hospitals, and rail stations.
Under the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas (SRDA) Initiative, £15 million was provided to improve security of small retailers,
including the provision of CCTV where appropriate. In year one of the initiative (2001-02) approximately 50 per cent. of the
projects involved the installation or upgrading of CCTV in either individual shop units or covering shopping parades or precincts.
(In year two (2002-03) it rose to almost 70 per cent. and in year three (2003-04) it is 63 per cent.
Both the CCTV and SRDA Initiatives are fully committed and drawing to a close. Future CCTV schemes can be financed through the
Building Safer Communities (BSC) Fund, which is used to strategically tackle local crime reduction priorities through a number of
interventions including CCTV. For 2003-04 the fund provided local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships with £72.3million.
Section 5 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 requires the responsible authorities of the CDRP to work in co- operation with other
bodies, including education, in completing a crime and disorder audit and strategy. This engagement should ensure access to funding
if it is considered a priority for the area. The CDRP can then consider whether installing CCTV cameras in schools and town centres
fits with its local priorities.
Subjects
CCTV; Crime prevention; Finance; Schools; Shops; Urban areas; Shopping centres; Building Safer Communities Fund
Date
3 November 2003
Reference
134595; 412 c433W;412 c441W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to introduce legislation to regulate the sale of Halal foods.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to introduce legislation to regulate the sale of Halal foods.
Asked by
Parmjit Dhanda
(Labour)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
19 December 2002
For answer on
13 January 2003
Answered on
13 January 2003
Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce legislation to regulate the sale of halal foods.
[89027]
Ms Blears: There are no plans. However, the Food Standards Agency is about to issue advice to food law enforcement officers on halal
food issues, and they will be asked to have regard to this advice and consider action under appropriate legislation where this is
necessary.
Subjects
Food; Meat; Regulation; Shops; Retail trade; Islam; Ritual slaughter
Date
13 January 2003
Reference
89027; 397 c497W;397 c495W
House
House of Commons