LABOUR PLANS TO SAVE THE HIGH STREET

THIS week I voted against the Tory-led Government’s changes to planning rules which will deny communities the right to shape their high streets and stop payday lending and betting shops from taking over.

The Government’s new rules mean that a number of types of business will no longer have to apply for permission to convert a building for a new business or residential use. This will make it easier for payday lenders, betting shops, fast food restaurants and other businesses to continue to spread along the high streets, and will make it harder for councils and communities to have a say in the future of their town centres.

This is the opposite of what our high streets need. Nationally there are 20 per cent more payday loan shops than there were a year ago. Many of these new premises are taking the place of valued local businesses including independent retailers, clothes shops and food shops.

Labour wants to give new powers to councils and local people to support their high streets, by allowing councils to encourage the types of businesses they want to see whilst cutting down on the spread of others like payday lenders.

Ed Miliband has announced that the next Labour Government will raise millions of pounds through a levy on the profits of payday lenders - money which will be used to double the public funds available for low cost alternatives such as credit unions.