Angela had an opportunity to ask the Prime Minister about Guildford's high streets with Surrey Day coming up this weekend. Angela regularly hears from businesses that higher parking charges as well as increases in rental and energy costs are making things tougher for them. It is an issue that the Prime Minister knows well, have been Chancellor during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Angela was pleased that he underlined this government's commitment to high streets through abolishing Business Rates for thousands of shops, hospitality and leisure venues as well as investing heavily through the High Streets Fund and Towns Fund. Many businesses are finding things more difficult right now - but the government is listening and supporting them.