Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of illegal trade on high streets and communities.

High streets are at the heart of local communities, supporting jobs, local businesses and social connection. The Government recognises that illicit trade can undermine the success of our high streets and threaten legitimate traders.

Government is working with enforcement bodies through a dedicated taskforce to improve understanding of the scale and impact of illegality on high streets and to develop a long-term policy response. The High Streets Strategy will be published later this year and will consider how Government can go further.