Arcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job Retention Debate

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Department: Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

Arcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job Retention

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Excerpts
Wednesday 2nd December 2020

(3 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Paul Scully Portrait Paul Scully
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My right hon. Friend absolutely nails it, as usual, in supporting her independent retailers—her small businesses. They are the backbone; 99.7% of businesses in this country are small and medium-sized enterprises. She is absolutely right, and I encourage everybody, both in Barnet and across the country, to shop local and get out there and spend money where possible to make sure that there is a high street to enjoy for years to come.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Portrait Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab)
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Arcadia entering administration and Debenhams going into liquidation is devastating news, with thousands facing the risk of losing their jobs, but this is also an issue of greed, with Philip Green having paid his family a tax-free dividend almost three and a half times more than Arcadia’s current pension pot deficit. Does the Minister agree that while Philip Green retains his fortune, employees should not end up paying the price with their pensions?