New laws giving councils the power to block fake barber and vape shops opening on the high street will be fast-tracked in a bid to see off the threat from Nigel Farage’s Reform.
Sir Keir Starmer will also unveil new plans on Thursday to give councils greater powers to seize boarded-up shops and regenerate derelict sites, as well as giving communities a greater say over what kind of shops open on their high streets.
Communities will also be given new rights to save local pubs and libraries under new right-to-buy schemes.
The plans are part of the latest attempts by the Government to counter Reform UK’s efforts to use the demise of local high streets as a campaigning tool.
The right-wing party has highlighted the rise in fake barber shops in high streets across the UK as a sign of organised crime gangs getting footholds in communities, with deputy leader Richard Tice last year accusing cash-only barber shops of being fronts for money laundering.
Research earlier this year from the think tank Power to Change showed that areas with the most run-down high streets were most likely to show support for Reform.
Councils are set to be handed new powers to assess the impact of new gambling, vape or barber shops opening in high streets and block them if they believe it will blight the high street.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed told The i Paper that Reform leader Farage wanted to use the demise of the high street to drive a wedge between local communities.
Reed, who ran Lambeth Council before entering Parliament, said: “Nigel Farage thrives on dividing communities, because he knows the only emotion he can use to gain power is anger.
“I combatted the populism in Lambeth by restoring pride in communities and bringing them together. United neighbourhoods don’t look to strong men for answers because they are strong on their own.”
He added that Labour’s plans would empower communities to “turn their lives and neighbourhoods around”.
The Prime Minister will announce new funding to support more than 330 communities on Thursday afternoon.
More time to buy pubs or create parks
Under the proposals, communities will now be given 12 months instead of just six to source funding to take over derelict pubs, grass-roots football clubs, tennis courts or create new parks.
Councils will also be given stronger compulsory purchase powers to buy up boarded up shops and derelict, abandoned businesses, allowing independent enterprises to open up restaurants, bars or health centres.
Government officials are keenly aware that people across the country feel powerless about the slow decline of their local high streets and believe the new powers will go some way to combating the sense that the country is broken.
square DISPATCHES Big ReadInside Corby, the new town that lost 10,000 jobs
Read More
A Whitehall source said that while the Conservatives tried to address the issue with their levelling up programme, it failed to deliver, and warned that Reform was trying to “sow the seeds of division” with its campaign slogan “Britain is broken”.
Earlier this year, think tank Power To Change warned the Labour Government “should be laser-focused on turning around declining high streets by the next election”, as its research showed support was strongest for Reform in areas with the worst high streets.
According to the thinktank, its analysis found that Reform was more likely to have come in second place in the general election in seats that have seen the greatest decline in the high street in recent years.Reform UK has been contacted for comment.
Hence then, the article about labour to block fake high street barbers in battle against reform was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Labour to block fake high street barbers in battle against Reform )
Also on site :
- 2010s Rock Band Announces Tour for 10th Anniversary of Debut Album
- The Best 5 One Chicago Couples Of All Time
- Nuclear neighbors and a two‑front threat: Why India needs a rocket force