Angela Rayner, former deputy prime minister and prominent Labour MP, has urged Sir Keir Starmer to create a dedicated ministerial role to champion the night-time economy. Speaking at a summit in Liverpool, she highlighted the pressing challenges facing the sector and called for a more tailored approach to its support.
A Call for Championing the Night-Time Economy
Rayner’s remarks come at a time when the night-time economy grapples with a “triple whammy” of rising costs, including increased business rates, VAT, and the impending minimum wage hike. During her address, she stressed the need for a “true champion on the national stage” to represent the interests of this vital sector, which plays a significant role in the UK’s cultural and economic landscape.
“We need to do better,” Rayner stated, emphasising the importance of recognising the economic, cultural, and social value of the night-time economy. “We need to design policy with the industry and not for it,” she added, advocating for a collaborative approach to policymaking that involves direct input from those within the sector.
Recognising the Sector’s Value
In a compelling Q&A session that followed her speech, Rayner elaborated on the severe pressures facing businesses, describing them as not merely a “double whammy” but a complex intersection of challenges. She pointed to the rising costs of energy alongside the financial burdens of business rates and VAT, calling for a nuanced understanding of these issues.
“The cost of energy – we’ve got to start looking at the intersectionality of all these challenges and start relieving some of them,” she asserted. Her concerns were echoed by recent government moves, including a controversial reduction in business rates relief for pubs, which has drawn significant backlash from landlords.
The Need for Immediate Action
Rayner has called on the Labour Party to accelerate its commitments made during the last election, insisting that immediate action is necessary to support recovery in the night-time economy. “If we’re serious about recovery, then we must fuel the recovery of businesses,” she stressed, underscoring the need for a more permissive licensing framework.
She also critiqued the current government’s approach, arguing that policies often fail to engage with the industry in meaningful ways. “Too often, policy is done to this sector, not with it,” she said, highlighting the necessity for ongoing dialogue and collaboration with industry experts.
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
Following Rayner’s comments, shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith responded, suggesting that her newfound awareness of the impact of government policies on businesses rings somewhat hollow, given her previous role in the formulation of the controversial Employment Rights Bill.
This call for a night-time economy minister comes amidst wider discussions within Labour regarding gender representation in leadership positions. Following the fallout from the Peter Mandelson scandal, some female Labour parliamentarians have suggested that Starmer appoint a woman as his de facto deputy, a move aimed at addressing perceived gender imbalances within the party.
Prime Minister Starmer has faced criticism over the operational dynamics within Downing Street but has indicated a willingness to consider suggestions to enhance female representation in senior roles.
Why it Matters
The night-time economy is a crucial component of the UK’s broader economic recovery strategy, and the introduction of a dedicated ministerial position could signal a significant shift in how the government engages with this sector. By recognising and addressing the unique challenges faced by night-time businesses, policymakers could foster an environment conducive to growth and innovation, ultimately benefiting local economies and communities. Rayner’s call for action reflects a growing understanding of the need for tailored support in an increasingly complex economic landscape.
