Reform and Tories slam Labour for wrecking UK high streets: ‘This is how town centres die’ | Politics | News
New money has been announced to save Britain’s crumbling high streets from further decay. The new support package will invest £150 million to beautify shop fronts, open vacant units and restore high streets to boost community pride.
The money will go to the areas hardest hit and “most in need of reunification”. This comes as councils have the power to block the spread of new betting shops and vape shops.
Communities Minister Steve Reed said: “Our high streets are the beating heart of Britain, where communities come together and local businesses can thrive. City centers have suffered from the decline of high streets and that’s why we’re taking action to turn the tide with this significant investment and more to come.
“We have listened to what people have told us and so, building on our transformational Pride in Place programme, we are giving them the power and control to breathe new life into our high streets and restore the sense of pride felt by communities.”
But Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said: “Labour’s crippling taxes and business rates have devastated our town centres. Reform will cut red tape, cut taxes and fix planning so local communities can thrive again.”
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said: “Shoplifting has risen by 5% under Labour, and robberies targeting commercial properties have increased by 66%. At the same time, Labor is raising business rates, shaking up employers’ National Insurance and burying pubs, shops and restaurants under a mountain of red tape. High streets are becoming easier to loot and harder to run.”
“This is how town centers are dying. Pubs are closing at record rates. Independent retailers are shuttering. Staff are being cut as costs rise and crime is out of control.
“This announcement is the definition of counterfactual. Labor says it supports high streets while its policies empty those streets, punishing the businesses that bring them to life. Until Labor tackles crime and costs, their plan is just another empty shop front.”
