Labour promises free wifi in town centres in bid to stop 'agonising death' of high streets
Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey to outline Labour's five-point plan for high streets, including scrapping ATM charges
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Labour is promising free wifi for all in town centres in a bid to boost ailing high streets and stop their "slow and agonising death".
The party also wants to scrap ATM charges, halt bank and post office closures, and has reaffirmed its commitment to make bus travel free for under 25s.
Highlighting well-known brands either falling into administration or announcing store closures, such as House of Fraser and Marks and Spencer, Labour claims that 100,000 jobs in the retail sector have been lost in the last three years.
It is hoped that providing free wifi for high street shoppers will encourage people to spend more of their leisure time in town centres.
Outlining a five point plan in a keynote speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool on Tuesday, Rebecca Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary, will claim: "Boarded up shops and deserted high streets are a result of years of neglect and austerity."
She will add: "Our high streets need saving from a slow and agonising death.
"As part of our plan to rebuild Britain and breath life back into our communities, Labour will scrap ATM charges, deliver free wifi to town centres, introduce a register of empty properties, provide free bus travel for under 25s and overhaul the broken business rates system which is hammering retail.
"Our country needs to radically change course so our towns can thrive again."
Ms Long-Bailey, who is also said to be looking at free parking, will also use the conference speech to tell the party faithful that her party is committed to reducing green house gas emission by the middle of the century, according to the Guardian.
"The potential benefits of transitioning to a sustainable economy are enormous and we want to make sure these are shared by everyone," she said. "The Tories are not up to the job of dealing with the existential threat posed by climate change."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments