Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Mark Prisk and Damian Hinds
Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)
12. What steps he is taking to help high streets adapt to changing consumer trends.
Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con)
18. What steps he is taking to help high streets adapt to changing consumer trends.
The Minister for Housing (Mr Mark Prisk)
The rise in online shopping means that high streets must change if they are to compete. The Government are actively helping high streets to adapt, but we need councils, landlords and businesses to play their part. That is why we have established the joint future high streets forum so that, together, we can better understand this complex challenge and so reinvigorate our town centres.
Mr Prisk
I entirely agree with my hon. Friend, who points out that town centres have to adapt so that they are about not just shopping, but hospitality and culture. It is terribly important to get that balance right. I wish to put on the record my encouragement for Chester’s bid to be city of culture, for I know the support he is giving to it.
Damian Hinds
Amid the adverse effects of e-commerce, one positive recent trend has been the growth of click and collect, with Royal Mail now having announced its own version. What can be done to encourage such schemes and bring a bit of footfall back to the high street?
Mr Prisk
Again, my hon. Friend is right in what he says. We must be careful about assuming that online retailing is wholly negative for town centres, as it can be a great opportunity. That is why we have asked the Post Office to be part of the future high streets forum; it has a tremendous retailing network and we want to tap into that expertise.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Mark Prisk and Damian Hinds
Mr Prisk
The point—to answer the hon. Gentleman’s question, if he would like to have an answer—is very simple: we are making good progress on skills, innovation and the supply chain. But is it not right for a Secretary of State to look at progress over 10, 15 and 20 years? Is that not what Governments should do? The Opposition need to bear it in mind, because, if the Labour party in government had looked 10 or 20 years ahead, this country would not be in the mess that we are having to clear up.
Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con)
8. What steps he is taking to ensure universal access to independent and professional careers advice and guidance.