We are committed to supporting all workers across the UK and have recently brought forward several reforms which will help protect workers in the retail and distribution sector.

In April 2022 we made sure 2.5 million people received a pay rise raising the National Minimum and National Living Wages. This was the largest ever cash increase to the National Living Wage and will put over £1,000 a year into a full-time workers’ pay packet, helping to ease cost of living pressures.

Additionally, on 6 July we brought forward legislation to widen the ban on exclusivity clauses, which restrict staff from working for multiple employers, to contracts where the guaranteed weekly income is equivalent to or below the Lower Earnings Limit of £123 a week.

The Government has been working closely with the full spectrum of food and drink manufacturers across the country to maintain secure food and drink supply chains during COVID-19 lockdown. Regular engagement is taking place through a variety of forums, such as the weekly manufacturer calls led by Defra Secretary of State, as well as individual calls and engagement at a policy level.

I refer the Hon. Member for Sefton Central to the answer I gave him on 6 May 2020, UIN: 42002, this Department is working closely with the Department for Transport and the Devolved Administrations to support industry and continue the flow of critical freight for the whole of the UK.

This Department has an important role in representing the feedback we hear from the sectors we engage with to other Government departments, but, consistent with the practice of successive administrations, the Government does not disclose details of internal departmental meetings.

We recognise the vital role played by Community shops in our rural communities, acting as hubs for local people and having a positive impact on the communities they serve.

We are working across Government as well as with industry to ensure the needs of the sector are addressed. Ministers and officials have regular engagement with a large number of businesses and representative organisations across all sectors. Ministers have hosted a series of calls in recent weeks, where they have had the opportunity chance to speak to and directly hear from a wide range of organisations and businesses.

Decisions taken regarding contractual relationships are best taken by individual suppliers and wholesalers who know their operations and customer demand in far greater detail than Government can.

Ministers and officials have regular engagement with a large number of businesses, representative organisations and trade unions across all sectors including retail and distribution.

Ministers have hosted a regular series of calls in recent weeks, where they have had the chance to speak to and hear directly from a wide range of organisations and businesses specifically for the purposes of COVID-19.

The Department is working very closely with the logistics industry to keep supply chains moving, including to address this and other matters to keep workers safe. Public Health England updated their advice on 24 March and further work with Public Health England is ongoing.

My colleague Baroness Vere has reiterated in writing the need for guidance to be followed and truck drivers to be allowed access to facilities including toilets, which is consistent with the Public Health England advice.

Modern slavery can occur in all sectors of business or industry. We are determined to reduce the risk of worker exploitation in all sectors. That is why we have appointed a Director of Labour Market Enforcement. The Director will advise the Government on the threat and how best to counter it. All businesses must stay vigilant to prevent modern slavery and other forms of worker exploitation in their supply chains.

Modern slavery can occur in all sectors of business or industry. We are determined to reduce the risk of worker exploitation in all sectors. That is why we have appointed a Director of Labour Market Enforcement. The Director will advise the Government on the threat and how best to counter it. All businesses must stay vigilant to prevent modern slavery and other forms of worker exploitation in their supply chains.

Latest figures published the Office for National Statistics on 23rd January show that the value of retail sales (excluding automotive fuel) in 2014 totalled £339 billion. This is an all-time high for the UK and is £47 billion higher than 2010 in cash terms.

Retail is vitally important to local and national economies, which is why Government is actively working to help all retailers. In October 2013, BIS published "A Strategy for Future Retail"; it was developed in partnership with industry and built on the previous retail strategy. It comprises actions to address barriers to retail growth and performance, and to help retail prepare itself for the future.

The 2014 Autumn Statement announced a £1 billion package to reduce the cost of business rates, including continuing the 2% RPI multiplier cap and the doubling of the Small Business Rates Relief to April 2016, increasing the discount for smaller retail premises to £1,500 to March 2016, extending Transitional Rate Relief to March 2017 and changing the rules on when alterations to rateable values can only be backdated to. This £1 billion package builds on the £2.7 billion support package introduced at Autumn Statement 2013.

The Government is also supporting town centres across the country to revitalise their high streets. This includes banning CCTV for parking, allowing residents and firms to review parking policies, a freeze on parking penalty charges, a review of Business Improvement Districts, action on planning, and support for the digital high street and retail markets. This is on top of: £2.3 million to support the 27 Portas Pilots and 330 town teams across England, £10 million from the High Street Innovation Fund, and a £500, 000 loan fund for new Business Improvement Districts.

Retail and wholesale industries are able to benefit from the support that Government is offering to all sectors. My Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister recently announced the 25,000^th Start Up Loan –over £129 million has been lent to people of all ages to start their own business. Government has created one of the most competitive tax regimes in the world and businesses have less regulation. There has been a £10 billion cumulative net saving to business over the course of this Parliament. Small businesses have better access to business advice and support. GREATbusiness.gov.uk brings together all Government advice, guidance and support in one place. And for those who are ready to really grow, the Business Growth Service brings together expert advice to improve and grow in one place for up to 20,000 firms each year with the ambition and capacity to grow.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.

Letter from Glen Watson, dated May 2013:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office the number of people employed in the (a) retail sector, (b) e-commerce and online retail sector and (c) wholesale and distribution sector on (i) 1 March 2010 and (ii) 1 March 2013 [154435]

In answering queries relating to employment by industry, ONS provide Workforce Jobs (WFJ) estimates. This is the preferred measure of jobs by industry, and is the sum of employee jobs (EJ), self-employment jobs (SEJ), government-supported trainees (GST) and Her Majesty's Forces (HMF).

To compare monthly data, seasonally adjusted data is most suitable; however WFJ is only available on a seasonally adjusted basis at industry Section level. The WFJ estimates for March 2012 and December 2012 for Section G; ‘Wholesale & retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ are as follows:

Estimates for March 2013 are yet to be published.

ONS does produce a more detailed industry breakdown for seasonally adjusted data, but just for employee jobs (EJ); as shown in the table below. Employee Jobs account for approximately 92% of Workforce Jobs in Section G.

Jobs estimates for e-commerce and online retail are not produced by ONS.