British Retail Consortium meeting at Tesco in Leyland

During my recent visit to Leyland Tesco, I had the opportunity to meet with members of their team and representatives from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Our discussions covered several key issues, including the improvement of supply chain efficiencies. However, the primary focus was on the critical issue of enhancing the implementation of laws to protect shop workers from violence and abuse—a concern that has unfortunately been escalating, particularly around the Leyland store.

According to recent statistics, two in five retail workers are subjected to verbal or physical abuse every week, with nearly half feeling unsafe at work. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for stronger protective measures.

The Labour Party is committed to creating safer working environments for all. Our policies include advocating for stricter penalties for those who abuse shop workers, improving support systems for affected employees, and enhancing collaboration with law enforcement agencies to ensure incidents are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.

No one should face aggression at work, and I am dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote safer environments for all retail workers.

British Retail Consortium (BRC) representative and Tesco Extra Leyland Manager