We’ll get High St thriving
Keir unveils 5-point plan
KEIR Starmer will today pledge to revitalise high streets as figures show thousands of pubs, shops and bank branches have closed under the Tories. The Labour leader will unveil a five-point plan to breathe new life into local communities. Britain has lost around 6,000 pubs, 4,000 shops and 9,000 bank branches from high streets since the Tories took power in 2010, analysis by Labour shows. Mr Starmer has vowed to allocate £700million to help firms cut bills in the long term by funding energy efficiency improvements such as double glazing or heat pump installation.
The party will also promise to slash business rates, saving the average pub, cafe or restaurant £2,600. This will be paid for by taxing online giants, such as Amazon, properly.
In a boost to The Mirror’s High Street Fightback campaign, Labour will give powers to local councils to take over empty shops.
And it will stamp out late payments that cause difficulties with cash flow for small businesses. Mandatory antisocial behaviour police leads and town centre patrols will crack down on crime targeting small businesses.
Speaking ahead of a visit to a high street in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Mr Starmer said: “Britain’s businesses already give so much to our economy, and hold a huge amount of potential and promise just waiting to be unlocked.
“But they’re being held back by 13 years of Tory economic failure.
“Labour will work in partnership with businesses and local communities to get our high streets thriving again.”
Nick Mackenzie, CEO of Greene King pub chain and brewery, welcomed plans to reduce the burden on the high street. He added the current rates system was a “barrier to investment”.
Conservative party chairman Greg Hands said: “We have a £13billion package in place now to support firms with the cost of business rates.”