Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with Morrisons on its reported plans to close 100 Morrisons Daily stores, including the store on Edinburgh Road in Jarrow; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of those closures on workers, high streets and access to essential retail services in affected communities.

While this is a commercial decision for Morrisons, we understand that this will be a concerning time for workers and their families. A broad range of support is available for those affected, including through Jobcentre Plus and the Rapid Response Service. Acas can also provide employees and employers with free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice.

We remain committed to supporting thriving high streets and have introduced permanently lower business‑rates multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, introduced a £4.3 billion transitional support package protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation, and are bringing forward a new High Streets Strategy, to help reinvigorate our communities.