Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to support the retail sector in Coventry.

The West Midlands Combined Authority has recently approved a grant of £98.8m towards the City Centre South scheme. This will be a major retail, leisure and residential development in Coventry City Centre.

This builds on financial support offered by the British Business Bank, the Small Business Commissioner ensuring fair payment practices, and Local Growth Hubs offering advice and information, with Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub acting as the local contact to business.

In addition, Government recently established a panel of experts, chaired by Sir John Timpson, to draw on their experience and expertise to diagnose the issues currently affecting our high streets, and advise on the best long-term approach. The panel, in conjunction with the Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Growth, will launch a call for evidence later this year looking at the future of our high streets.

Government has also launched the 2018 Great British High Street Awards, which champion the hard work of local businesses and communities around the country who are determined to ensure that their high streets thrive.