Reacting to the Queen's speech, the director general of the British Retail Consortium Stephen Robertson said the outlined policies won't allow retailers to contribute effectively to economic growth.


Speaking on Wednesday, the Queen outlined government plans to "reduce the deficit and restore economic stability" but according to Mr Robertson, political restrictions on retailers means it will be harder than ever for them to "invest, grow and create jobs."

He said: "The government continues to introduce new regulations which affect the retail sector, and the much-heralded one-in-one-out principle is failing to deliver in return... Every new demand from government which affects the retail sector adds bureaucracy and costs, and makes it harder for businesses affected to invest, grow and create jobs.

"A lot of little pieces of red tape combine to make one big burden."

Mr Roberston went on to isolate the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill as "the most worrying" aspect of the speech for retailers, saying it "writes a blank cheque on behalf of the retail sector."

It wasn't all negative from the BRC, however, with director of business Tom Ironside praising the Queen's pledge to reduce and prevent crime. He said: "We're pleased the introduction of locally elected police and crime commissioners is to be accompanied by a National Crime Agency to take the lead on organised crime.

"Investment by the retail sector has reduced the amount of opportunistic crime stores suffer from but losses continue to rise as retailers are increasing targeted by organised gangs, using stolen goods to fund other illegal activity.

"Fraud and e-crime are rapidly growing problems which are also in danger of being overlooked if police priorities are decided on a purely local basis... People will only spend time on our high streets if they feel safe."

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