Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment his Department has made of the role of technology in levelling up British high streets and the independent retail sector.

Regenerating our high streets and town centres is essential to this Government’s commitment to level up the country. Now, more than ever, it is vital that we continue to help our local economies by supporting town centres and high streets to innovate, evolve and thrive.

Government has already committed billions of pounds to support economic growth and regeneration for high streets. Regeneration and Town Centres is one of the three bidding themes used in the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund, which has recently opened its second round. We would welcome any applications related to using technology to level up high streets across the UK. This is in addition to the £3.6 billion Towns Fund, which includes support for 101 Town Deals and 72 Future High Streets Fund projects.

Beyond substantial funding offers, Government is providing support to local leadership with the High Streets Task Force. Over five years this is providing hands-on support to 152 local areas to develop data-driven innovative strategies and to connect local areas to relevant experts.

The retail sector is innovative. Technology, innovation and levelling up are key themes for the industry-led Retail Sector Council in considering their sector’s strategic issues.