- 31/03/2025
- Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
- Category: Local News, News
I was pleased to support and open the IKEA Annual Retail Reception at the House of Commons on 31 March 2025.
The title of the reception this year was ‘Better Neighbourhoods: Where Our Neighbourhoods Feel Like Home’. Building on their ‘Unwelcome Home’ campaign with the housing and homelessness charity Shelter, we heard from IKEA’s Sustainability Business Partner, Hiliary Jenkins, about the company’s commitment to work with neighbourhoods and communities to create a positive impact in society.
The image on the right is of the UNWELCOME HOME doll’s house, created to raise awareness of the real living conditions for many families who have no option but temporary accommodation – from dangerous damp and mould to extreme overcrowding, problems accessing running water and infestations. It was installed in IKEA Birmingham, neighbouring Walsall & Bloxwich.
I introduced CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA UK and Ireland, Peter Jelkeby, who spoke about the wider retail landscape in the UK, the economic impact of the retail sector and how the sector can be supported.
Mr Jelkeby has over 35 years of retail industry experience, and is ensuring that IKEA remains affordable and is truly people and planet positive.