Wilko closure is ‘devastating news’ that will see thousands lose their livelihoods

The Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Dagenham and Rainham, is calling for government action to revitalise local high streets on the news of the collapse of the Wilko stores and the threat to their store in the Mall, Dagenham.

Margaret told the Havering Daily:“It’s devastating news that will likely see stores close across the country with over 12,000 people lose their livelihoods. This threatens the future of the much used Wilko shop in the Mall, Dagenham Heathway.”

Margaret added: “I fully support Labour’s plans for our high streets. Local businesses have been the target of rising costs due to Tory economic mismanagement. Our plan to reverse 13 years of decline and revitalise local high streets is built on five actions:

• Cut business rates: Labour would cut business rates this financial year for small businesses on the high street, paid for by increasing tax on online giants ahead of an international tax agreement, ahead of scrapping and replace the current system of business rates with a fully costed and funded system of business property taxation that levels the playing field so that our high streets can thrive.

• Cut energy bills: Labour will help them cut their bills for good with vouchers for energy efficiency measures – such as double glazing, a new heat pump or an electric vehicle for a takeaway.

• Stamp out late payments: Labour would introduce tough new laws to stamp out late payments and make sure more money gets to high street firms.

• Revamp empty shops: Labour will give councils strong new powers to bring empty shops on their high streets back into use.

• Tackle anti-social behaviour: people should feel safe when they go out to shop, eat or have fun on their local high street. Labour will get 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs back on our streets and introduce tough new measures to crack down on anti-social behaviour that blights local high streets”.

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