Mr Burnham has said he wants to revive our High Streets. So far all he has promised is to cut Business rates on pubs and cafes , put up to business killing levels by Rachel Reeves. What about the shops and many other small businesses that enliven town centres? He says he will pay for this by raising rates on warehouses used by on line retailers, so shoppers will still have to pay the extra to feed the government monster.
We know Mr. Burnham has visited some High Streets. He seems aware of closed businesses and the tatty state of some of them. But where is the vision or thought out plan to right them? Where the concern about dreadful levels of unemployment for the young, denied jobs in hospitality, leisure and retail by the Labour tax storm?
He should start by reversing the huge damage Starmer/ Reeves did to employment and service levels in shops. The jobs tax or National Insurance surcharge, the higher Minimum Wages and the rip off business rate hikes all left many shops reeling. Many young people cannot get their starter or student jobs on the High Street anymore because government taxes have priced them out.
The government has failed to supply the police officers and the money needed to clamp down on shoplifting, graffiti and anti social behaviour, putting shoppers off going into town. They can buy on line instead.
The government attacks and blames some of our most successful shops, the large food retailers. It wants to blame them for the inflation the Bank and Treasury have unleashed.. The government seems unaware of the low single figure percentage margins the supermarkets make. It is oblivious to how competitive they are and what good service they provide.
Think again, Mr Burnham. Get the taxes and government imposed costs down. Back small business and independent shops. Introduce enough police to tackle the crimes on the High Street, making them safe and pleasant again.