Politics

Boris Johnson promises to revitalise neglected towns with £280m election spending spree


The Prime Minister has claimed that this fund will help “left behind” towns in the key election battleground seats as he desperately hopes that the election will stop the political deadlock and deliver Brexit. The money will also protect local services, cut business rates and help some villages to re-connect with the rail network.

The cash pot will mean that corner-shop owners will have £1,400 cut off their tax bills.

However, the Labour Party have taken a swipe at the Tories by saying that they are responsible for the destruction of the high street.

Mr Johnson has said that he wanted to help the towns outside London and the South which had not benefitted from economic growth in the country.

The Prime Minister has said: “We will invest in these communities and help people put the heart back into the places they call home.

“We need to get Brexit done so that we can unleash the potential of all our towns, cities and villages.

“We will be able to save our high streets, keep pubs and post offices open and reconnect places to the rail network half a century after they were cut off.

“With far too many small businesses still having their futures put in jeopardy by the broken business rates system, this package is a welcome step in getting the urgent help that the high street needs.

“We hope this is the start of a pro-business offer from those seeking to lead the next Government.”

A Conservative Party spokesman has said a Tory government will build on the Government’s Towns Fund, which is aimed at helping those places that have not benefitted from economic growth.

One of the towns which is set to benefit from the measure is Cleveleys, where the Tories are defending a majority of 2,023.

Andrew Gwynne, Labour’s Shadow Communities Secretary, said: “The Tories are destroying our high streets and towns.

“A decade of vicious cuts to the services that people in our communities rely on has taken 60p in every £1 from council budgets.

“There is a clear choice in this election on 12 December: more of the same with Boris Johnson’s Tories or real change and investment under Labour.”



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