By Denis Sheehan MIH: Labour pledge to revitalise high streets.
Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves are visiting Great Yarmouth today to launch The Labour Party’s five-point plan to revitalise local high streets following the closure of thousands of hospitality and retail outlets since the Conservatives came to power.
Labour is saying it will work in partnership with local businesses and local communities to rejuvenate high streets.
Details of today’s visit are yet to emerge, but Labour’s twitter account today is pledging: “We’d cut business rates and energy bills for small businesses, stamp out late payments, revamp empty shops and tackle antisocial behaviour.”
The party said cutting business rates for small businesses on the high street would be paid for by properly taxing online giants, delivering more than £2,600 in savings in business rates for the ‘average’ pub, café, or restaurant.
The yet to be unveiled plan see’s Labour pledge £700 million to helping businesses cut their energy costs.
Labour is also promising extra powers to local authorities to takeover and revamp empty high street properties, as well as dealing with late payment of invoices that cause businesses cash flow distress.
Speaking ahead of his visit today, the Labour leader 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.