Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer. I welcome last week’s Budget and its efforts to create breathing space for people and businesses— [ Interruption. ] It does indeed. Watford has a popular high street. I have met local business owners post Budget, and they are keen to see the Government cut red tape and stimulate growth. Will my right hon. Friend outline some of the specific measures the Government are taking to help our high streets?
Answer
As my hon. Friend points out, the Government are working to reduce red tape for businesses in Watford and right across the country by making progress towards our target of cutting the annual admin burden of regulation for businesses by 25% by the end of this Parliament. As I have mentioned, we published our high streets strategy at the Budget, which is backed by £210 million of new funding that will bring vacant and derelict properties back into use, support the growth of co-ops and mutuals and help more communities to take ownership of valued local assets.
Verdict: GREEN (82/100)
The reply answers the one question component directly. It names the high streets strategy published at the Budget, backed by £210 million, and explains how it will work: bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use and supporting co-operatives, mutuals and community ownership of local assets. Its broader points on cutting business red tape are less relevant, but the specific details are enough to answer the question.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What specific measures the Government is taking to help high streets | Addressed | Direct | The reply names a concrete high streets measure, the high streets strategy published at the Budget, backed by £210 million, and describes its mechanisms: bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use and supporting co-ops, mutuals and community ownership of local assets. Statements 1 and 2 on cutting business red tape are broader and only loosely relevant, but the high streets-specific statements already answer the item. |