Retail trade union Usdaw has set out Budget measures to help shops and support staff through the long tail of the Conservatives' cost of living crisis, responding to the Treasury consultation ahead of the Budget on 28 October.
Usdaw is calling for action to rebalance business rates to help save shops, improve Universal Credit for working parents, increase the minimum wage to make work pay, and fund public services through fairer taxation. The union's full submission is at www.usdaw.org.uk/Budget2026.
Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said the UK economy continues to struggle after the legacy of an incompetent and chaotic Conservative Government. Tory and Lib Dem austerity, Boris Johnson's bad Brexit deal and Liz Truss's disastrous Budget left the country vulnerable. She welcomed steps Labour has already announced to help save shops, tackle the cost of living, make work pay and reform Universal Credit, but said there is still much more to do.
Thomas: Employment Rights Act and minimum wage
"The Employment Rights Act will help make work pay and improve job security if delivered in full, and we will look to the Chancellor for another substantial increase in minimum wage rates to reflect the cost of living and end rip-off youth pay."
Usdaw participated in the Government's review of paid parental leave and welcomes expanded childcare, while calling for substantial Universal Credit reform building on the abolition of the two-child limit.
Job security and growth in every postcode
On job security and growth, Thomas welcomed reduced business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues, Labour's manifesto commitment to level the playing field between the high street and online giants, and confirmation of a high streets strategy — which she said must link to industrial strategy, including exempting large physical retail premises from the higher rates multiplier.
Fairer taxation
On tax, Usdaw said a fairer system is needed. Freezing thresholds until 2031 will bring millions into tax or higher tax bands, and the government should consider alternatives so the wealthiest pay their fair share.
Usdaw, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, is the UK's fifth biggest TUC union with around 370,000 members.
