The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) has launched a new blueprint designed to improve the future of retail workers in the UK.

The union calls for measures such as levelling business taxation between online and in-store retailers and funding for local authorities to support their high streets.

Usdaw is also pressing for an increase in the minimum wage to at least £12 ($15.48) an hour, with aims to take it to £15 ($19.35) with improved Statutory Sick Pay.

The union, which has more than 350,000 members, has also called for stringent action from both employers and the Government to build a more respectful and inclusive work environment for retail workers.

Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “The retail industry directly employs three million people, with a further 1.5 million jobs reliant on the success of the industry. Yet the Government continues to treat retail jobs as an afterthought.

“This needs to change. We cannot continue with shop work being synonymous with low pay, insecure hours and abuse. This isn’t just bad for employees, but for the industry and wider economy as well.

“Usdaw is calling for a robust plan for the future of retail work that addresses both the immediate and urgent priorities facing the industry and staff, as well as wider measures to help deliver better jobs. We need a co-ordinated and inclusive approach, so we are urging Government, retailers and all key stakeholders to engage with Usdaw.”

Data by Usdaw revealed that nearly three-quarters of a million retail jobs have been lost since 2018.

The growth in online channels also resulted in the closure of more than 75,000 stores.

In April this year, Usdaw demanded better deals for retail workers working on bank holidays.