RGDATA Delegation Urges Enterprise Minister to secure future of independent shops in Budget 25

RGDATA met with Minister Burke to outline the challenges that local independent shops are currently facing dealing with employment costs, inflation in business costs, retail crime and dealing with a plethora of new regulations and policy initiatives. The delegation also raised the changes to tax policy on family business handovers, concerns about sick pay increasing to 7 days and the proposed pension auto-enrolment scheme.

“RGDATA’s focus continues to be Budget 2025 which the Government is putting the finishing touches to before the new early Budget Day on October 1 2024. An RGDATA delegation led by President Colin Fee had a constructive meeting with the Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment and made an impassioned presentation on behalf of independent shops about the need for targeted supports in Budget 2025 for a sector that is facing extremely challenging conditions. RGDATA also made representation to the new Finance Minister about Budget 25 and raised concerns about taxation policy on family business handovers. We are also completing our annual Crime survey so please fill it in if you haven’t already done so” said Director Tara Buckley.