Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason the Government's panel on the future of the High Street (a) does not have a representative of workers in the industry and (b) includes only a Conservative Councillor.
High streets are a crucial part of our communities. The Government is determined to see our high streets thriving, both now and in the future. We want to see vibrant hubs where people live, shop, use services, and spend their leisure time.
That is why on 16 July, the Department announced the appointment of an expert panel of leaders to draw on their experience and expertise to diagnose the issues currently affecting our high streets, and advise on the best long-term approach to help their revival. The panel of experts have a wide range of experience and represent different facets of the high street. It includes representatives from the retail, property and design sectors as well as local government.
Alongside the panel, the Department will also launch a call for evidence over the summer, which will allow members of the public – including users of and workers on the high street – to tell us what they want from their future high streets.