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<p>Government is clear that we want all types of retail to thrive now and in the future,
and to support the sector as it responds to change. This is why we established the
industry led Retail Sector Council to bring Government and industry together to help
the sector address key sector issues and define its future strategy.</p><p>The council
is due to meet next in February. The Council is prioritising its work to address the
key challenges facing the sector and will initially focus on; costs to business, skills
and lifelong learning, employment protection, consumer protection, the circular economy
and the Industrial Strategy. The priority areas were selected by the industry and
each workstream will be led by a senior industry figure.</p><p>Furthermore, at Autumn
Budget, Government launched the £675m Future High Streets Fund, which will help local
leaders to transform their town centres and make them fit for the future. The prospectus
for the Fund was published in December and invites high streets and town centres to
come forward with Expressions of Interest by March 22<sup>nd</sup> 2019.</p><p>Local
leaders will be further supported by the High Streets Task Force, which will be established
in 2019 and will provide hands-on support to local areas to develop data-driven innovative
strategies and connect local areas to relevant experts.</p><p>In addition, from April
2019, the Government is cutting the business rates bills of eligible small retailers
by one third for two years, worth almost £900m in reduced bills.</p>
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