<p>Housing secretary says Labour wants to reverse fortunes of towns plagued by boarded-up shops and rogue businesses</p><p>Angela Rayner has said voters will begin to see a difference in their high street before the next general election as Labour prioritises investment in struggling local communities.</p><p>The housing secretary said the government had made it a top priority before the country goes to the polls to begin turning around the fortunes of places <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/ng-interactive/2026/jan/28/newton-aycliffe-county-durham-high-street-decline">blighted by boarded-up shops</a> and rogue businesses.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/30/britain-blighted-high-streets-angela-rayner-labour">Continue reading...</a>
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Britain’s blighted high streets will improve by next election, says Rayner
<p>Housing secretary says Labour wants to reverse fortunes of towns plagued by boarded-up shops and rogue businesses</p><p>Angela Rayner has said voters will begin to see a difference in their high street before the next general election as Labour prioritises investment in struggling local communities.</p><p>The housing secretary said the government had made it a top priority before the country goes to the polls to begin turning around the fortunes of places <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/ng-interactive/2026/jan/28/newton-aycliffe-county-durham-high-street-decline">blighted by boarded-up shops</a> and rogue businesses.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/30/britain-blighted-high-streets-angela-rayner-labour">Continue reading...</a>