Labour leader outlines plans to rejuvenate the High Street on visit to Norfolk
The Labour leader has been in Great Yarmouth this morning with Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves
Last updated 13th Apr 2023
The Labour leader has been in Norfolk outlining his new plans to “get our high streets thriving again”.
Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves have been in Great Yarmouth today as the party launches its five-point plan to “revitalise local high streets”, warning “thousands of pubs, shops and bank branches” have closed.
The measures unveiled include cutting business rates and energy bills and stamping out late payments
The party said it would cut business rates for small businesses on the high street “paid for by properly taxing online giants”, adding it “would be worth over £2.6k” to the average pub, cafe or restaurant.
To help cut energy bills, Labour said it would introduce vouchers for energy efficiency measures including “double glazing at a local cinema, a new heat pump in a cafe or an electric vehicle for a takeaway”.
What else is being put forwards?
They also promised they would introduce “tough new laws to stamp out late payments and make sure more money gets to high street firms” and give councils “strong new powers to bring empty shops on their high streets back into use”.
Labour also say their proposed Police Efficiency and Collaboration Programme would combat anti-social behaviour and “deliver over £350 million in procurement and shared services savings” to be used to pay for 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs.
"A huge amount of potential and promise just waiting to be unlocked"
Sir Keir 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. The Tories crashed the economy, and business and working people are still paying the price on higher interest rates.
“With our five-point plan, Labour will work in partnership with businesses and local communities to get our high streets thriving again.”
What have the Conservative party said about this?
Conservative party chairman Greg Hands said:
“Labour have abandoned their pledge to abolish business rates. The only position they remain committed to is more unfunded, uncosted spending pledges.
“We have a £13 billion package in place now to support firms with the cost of business rates as we push on with our mission to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt to help businesses right across the UK.”