Debate contribution: High Street Task Force
Debate contribution by Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly on .
- MLA
- Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 8 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- High Street Task Force
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5600428
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The Member raises an important issue about the challenges that we know are faced by our high streets. Many units on our high streets are now occupied by small businesses, and they are really struggling. Those small businesses are particularly hit by the rising costs of food and energy, as I indicated. Very often, those businesses survive on very small margins, and, when prices increase, that eats into their ability to do that and their sustainability. We recognise that they need support, but it has to be much wider than that particular grouping. The task force's work has been completed, but that does not mean that the high streets do not require additional support and help. We are acutely aware of that. That is why growing the economy is a priority in the Programme for Government. Of course, each Department is taking forward those 14 recommendations, and we will continue to liaise with them, but we believe that getting the right, UK-wide support, particularly through the tax system, is critical. That is why we have been lobbying the UK Government hard to make sure that they move towards a position of our having a Budget that is fit for purpose for business.
202 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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