Press release: 00.01 Wednesday, 12^th March, 2003

Broad-based new coalition launched to fight ghost town Britain

Unique range of groups forms new campaign and backs Bill to save local economies and environment

A unique new coalition called 'Local Works' is being launched today to fight the emergence of ghost town Britain. Covering issues ranging from housing to food, work, farming, small businesses, transport and local democracy, the coalition will back the new Local Community and Sustainability Bill, to be presented today in Parliament by Guildford MP Sue Doughty.

Both the Bill and Coalition are setting out to halt the steady decline of Britain's local economies. Britain has always been 'a nation of shopkeepers'. But our villages, towns and cities are in danger of becoming ghost towns. Local services - corner shops, banks, post offices and pubs - are fast disappearing. Between 1995 - 2000 we lost a cumulative 30,000 local economic outlets - and this trend is looks set to continue suggesting the loss of a further 28,000 shops over the next five years.

Now the Office of Fair Trading may be sounding the death knell for community pharmacy services by recommending their deregulation, opening the way for supermarket take-over of this vital local lifeline.

The reasons behind the decline in local economic life were documented in a report, Ghost Town Britain, published by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) in December 2002. The new coalition, chaired by NEF, has groups ranging from homeless charity Shelter, to the National Federation of Retail Newsagents. Altogether the coalition represents membership of over 2.5 million people.

Andrew Simms, Policy Director of the New Economics Foundation said: "This is a unique coalition of groups coming together to save our local economies from economic forces that are out of control. Together we will work towards making our communities friendlier places that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable. The idea of celebrating and supporting the local in an age of destructive globalisation- whether to do with the economy, health services, or increasing democratic participation - is an idea whose time has come."

On March 12 2003 Ms Doughty will present the Local Community and Sustainability Bill to the House of Commons. The Bill calls on Central Government to give local stakeholders and authorities real power to make a healthy economic future for all of our communities.

"With the growth in house building and the changes to our communities that this will bring, we have an excellent opportunity to plan for inclusivity and sustainability," says Sue Doughty, MP for Guildford. "We have a choice between vibrant local villages and towns, or empty areas with no soul."

Notes to Editors

1. The steering group is:
• New Economics Foundation,
• National Federation of Retail Newsagents,
• UNISON,
• Shelter,
• Charter 88,
• Friends of the Earth,
• Soil Association,
• Sustain - the alliance for better food and farming,
• Community Matters (the National Federation of Community Organisations),
• Small and Family Farms Association,
• Transport 2000,
• CAMRA.
1. Quotes from selected members:

 

The National Federation of Retail Newsagents

"The National Federation of Retail Newsagents fully support the contents of the Local Sustainability Bill and feel that it represents the best at getting local authorities to commit to ensuring the survival of small independent community retailers. Unless MPs provide a constructive framework to support local business we are in danger of seeing our communities damaged and large multiples dominating the market. Hat cannot be good for consumer choice and community relations."

Charter 88

"Charter 88 is very pleased to support the Local Community and Sustainability Bill. This initiative should revitalise local economies, and encourage people to think and act locally. We believe that as a result people will feel less disenfranchised and disconnected from their environment and politics at large. It's a positive campaign which should encourage people to participate in their community, which can only have a good effect on local democracy."

UNISON

"Local producers can be supported by legislation to promote local sustainability, something which UNISON is very keen to support itself as the largest union representing local government workers in the UK. Measures that encourage the provision of local goods and services that are grown or produced in the same locality or region are to be welcomed. Through its support for the recently drafted Local Community and Sustainability Bill, UNISON hopes that such goals can become a reality, alongside other clauses to increase social inclusion, boost the number of local jobs, and reduce the level of road traffic and emissions of greenhouse gases."

Sustain - the alliance for better food and farming

"This Bill is the first to address real quality of life issues, almost in their entirety, from local food to global equity. It will give communities the power, in terms of resources and legitimacy, to develop ways to make their lives and their environment better and to reverse the adverse impacts on modern life on the environment and society. It has the backing of Sustain, and deserves full support from all parties."

National Federation of Community Organisations

"Community Matters (National Federation of Community Organisations) believes in the power of people doing things for themselves - the Local Community and Sustainability Bill will create an environment where community action is encouraged and valued."

2. There will be an adjournment debate led by Anthony Steen MP on Wednesday 12 March 2003 on the future of local pharmacies.
3. The Local Community and Sustainability Bill: is broad-based and gives power to local communities. The Bill is intended to create an enabling framework for local authorities to deliver on the local sustainability agenda. The Bill will seek a commitment from the Government that they will free up local authorities from some of the red tape that currently stops them from being able to deliver local economic development and environmental sustainability.