"The UK retail sector is an essential part of our economic and community infrastructure. It has an output of over £112 billion per year, directly employs around three million people and is present in every community across the country. In the North West, the retail sector provides 9% of all employment.

 

“However, 6,000 retail outlets have been lost over the last five years. Retail closures have left shop vacancies within our communities and workers facing redundancy. Action to address the issues facing the retail sector will be a critical step in establishing an effective industrial strategy. A thriving retail sector must be a central element of Labour’s Plan for Growth."

 

Amanda Bailey-Coll – Usdaw regional secretary

22 November 2024

"We are deeply concerned about the challenges facing retail and high streets in Wales. Last year several major national retailers permanently closed stores and cut jobs. These are not just personal tragedies for individual workers, but empty shop units are scarring high streets and communities across Wales. The retail sector is the largest private sector employer in Wales, providing 139,000 jobs, and deserves support.

 

"Over one in six shops in Wales are empty, with Wales reporting the second highest number of vacant shops in the UK. Therefore, we are calling for consistent and sustainable funding for local authorities so they can invest in their local economy, transport networks and high streets. "

 

Paddy Lillis - Usdaw general secretary at the Welsh Labour Conference 

14 November 2024

"The scale of the challenge the retail industry faces is huge. With very high numbers of job losses and store closures that are scarring our high streets and communities, there are substantial issues that need to be addressed.

 

"Labour in government will deliver the much-needed and long overdue help the retail industry needs, with action on business rates and support for our struggling high streets."

 

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary

13 June 2024

"Over the Summer of 2020, redundancies were made by conference call, with no meaningful consultation. This area of law requires review because it is riddled with injustices for both workers and taxpayers as liability to pay the protective awards when companies are in administration falls to the Government’s insolvency fund."

 

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary on Debenhams workers' long wait for justice

31 August 2023

"Cases like this highlight the flaws in the UK’s employment rights framework, which offers far too little protection to workers, both individually and collectively.

 

"It’s high time that redundancy rights were strengthened to give workers more security and better support."

 

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary

31 August 2023