Andy Burnham's new cabinet - who's in, who's out.

Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary. FFS. Sooo awful.

Whilst I’m v relieved he’s not Chancellor (shudder), the man is an embarrassment on every level.

• He enthusiastically betrayed both his brother and his party leader/the PM
• he has ploughed on with environmentally catastrophic and financially ruinous policies in his existing role (the irony)
• he is a joke, he is Gromit, he can’t ride a bike or eat a sandwich without looking like an arsehole. I am so embarrassed he’ll be representing the UK on a world stage. It’s cringeworthy.

i very much wish the brother he betrayed - David M - had been appointed as a much more charismatic, well connected, not blinded by dogma, doesn’t always come over like a twat Foreign Secretary…. still that was never going to happen because no-one could backstab KS nor stick his tongue so far up Burnham’s backside as our friend Ed, so he must be rewarded with a cabinet position. FFS.

PS Whatever happened to the “Ed-stone”. Is that monument to arrogance propped up in a garden in Islington somewhere??

and as for the high streets - you need to change people’s attitudes to them as they wouldn’t be failing if people used them

We often have social media posts from new businesses asking ‘if I were to open a business, what does (your small city) need. Business owner is inundated with ideas. Business opens and lasts max 6 months, as nobody wants to pay more than Amazon/SHEIN/TEMU.

We definitely need to start appreciating quality - product, fabrics, make and service, including being able to try on clothing, easy, free, returns etc.

A vibrant high street brings people together and provides local jobs.

I think we should definitely do this. It would also give us a negotiating position with the EU for mutual exemptions from it as, as you say, it's mostly aimed at places like Shein and Temu who are also environmentally disastrous.

Regarding online business, The EU (I know, I know) has slapped a €3 import charge on every item, yes every item delivered from outside the EU, and that includes the UK of course, but it's mainly aimed at Chinese online like Shein and Temu. There is no de minimis like there was, i.e. customs duty didn't apply under €150, now it's on everything.

UK could do the same and place a tariff on EU and Chinese goods being imported to UK under the current de minimis of £135. Sauce for the goose....

Any reason this can't or won't be done, since it would limit Chinese tat imports wouldn't it and give a chance to indigenous retailers.

Did he ask them to tidy up some glasses?

#modernslavery

Looks like he’s upset half the hospitality industry!

I think it’s a bit of optics and it’s a couple of small things to show why Burnham is not Starmer. And people might feel good about the announcements.

Economically the bigger stuff will be later in the year. Idk if it will all work, we’ll see.

Looking at more of the detail this is a bit of a nothing move. So far it’s been a lot of tinkering. They should probably try and focus on the bigger picture and not be so desperate to rush things out.

the whole ‘do not comply with their tax obligations’ is woolly and basically means they’re not sure what to do at the moment

they need to come up with a way to tax online businesses a different way to level the playing field. Higher business rates on warehouses and data centres would be a start

and as for the high streets - you need to change people’s attitudes to them as they wouldn’t be failing if people used them

my teen dd was really excited when a bricks and mortar shop of a US brand opened in London but came home really disappointed because they had very few sizes and not much variety.

and on the other end of the age range, my mum went to John Lewis for something and when she asked if they had any in stock was told it would be better for her to order online

round my way every other shop is either a bakery or a coffee shop with a few charity shops thrown in!

It adds the government will also "crack down" on businesses selling through online marketplaces which "do not comply with their tax obligations".

But if this is extended to the likes of Amazon, Shein, TEMU and the like, not only will it bring more tax but will give a much more even playing field for UK businesses and our high street.

In turn, more shops on the high street, less empty shops, less chance for vape/barber/nails as shops are occupied and valued - and more jobs.

Our rush for cheap tat is killing our own high streets, killing communities. It isn’t the same in Europe (or certainly the countries I have visited) where high streets thrive, providing good quality products and social engagement, as well as jobs.

And the controversial appointment: Anas Sarwar becoming a Lord so he can be Minister of State for Trade. The Scottish Conservatives have said:

"Given he was one of the loudest voices calling for Keir Starmer to go, people will inevitably ask whether he always had one eye on a role at Westminster.

But what about Healy?

Did he resign because of his principles, which is how it looked like, does he genuinely believe now the issue can be fixed, by him?

And why does Al Carns think it has not been settled?

Thus is really interesting!

Well that’s what will inevitably happen

plus what is a live music venue - are you going to end up with the vape shops having a performance area!

ultimately good taxes need to be well drafted and in recent years there have been some knee jerk changes that then haven’t achieved what was intended

Maybe vapes with the dry roasted peanuts and pint of lager …

Well the downside will be a loss in business rate take. The more complex the system gets the easier it is to find loopholes.

I would love to see the back of all the vape shops but I suspect it would just change how and where they are sold

so far he’s doing as expected

Fair point. Not sure it will fill the gap.

Back to the appointments: Former defence minister Al Carns turns down ministerial offer

At last, someone who is truly principled:

"I've always said I would serve where I am asked. In normal circumstances, that is exactly what I would do, but the argument I resigned over has not yet been settled."

It’s a clever move by AB. I’m not sure what the downsides will be but the optics and upside is good.

well quite. Hopefully they will do a full review of business rates and have conversations with those who see the practical application

simplification would be wonderful but at the moment everything seems to be more complex!

The devil is in the detail, Emma Simpson, BBC:

.. the idea this support is going to be paid for by reviewing tax reliefs currently given to businesses “that don’t make a positive contribution to local communities” specifically highlighting vape shops.

“I’m not sure getting vape shops to pay for it will fill the gap” one seasoned rating expert told me.

Business rates definitely need looking at but I’m not sure this is the rate way - how do you decide who is worthy of lower rates and who isn’t? It needs a full review and looking at warehouses/data centres etc

I'm really disappointed with the peerage for the Scottish Labour leader - that’s cronyism at its finest