ANDY BURNHAM must do more than point the finger at “rogue traders” if he wants to revitalise Britain’s high streets, camapaigners said today.

Communist Party general secretary Alex Gordon told the new PM to first deal with gambling firms and supermarket giants who “have funded leading politicians of all parties for years.”

Mr Burnham vowed to scrap the so-called “aim to permit” rule, which would allow councils more powers in preventing betting and 24-hour slot machine shops from opening on their high streets.

The rule limited local authorities’ ability to block new bookmakers and vape shops from opening in the area.

Removing the Blair-era law will mean planning permission will also be required for traders selling e-cigarettes.

They will also be required for gaming centres with 24-hour access to slot and fruit machines.

Ministers will also look to extend so-called “closure orders,” first announced by the last PM, which will allow police to shut down “dodgy” barbers, vape shops and nail salons for a maximum of one year, up from six months in Sir Keir Starmer’s plans.

The government will also set clearer expectations for shop front designs.

Mr Gordon told the Star: “Tackling the epidemic of betting shops and vape stores won’t be achieved by pointing the finger at rogue traders.

“High streets have been hollowed out by out-of-town supermarkets, which constitute some of Labour’s largest donors, and by gambling firms that have funded leading politicians of all parties for years.”

Referring to the PM’s cost of living summer tour, the Communist Party leader said: “It is to his credit that he recognises the urban crisis of Britain’s high streets.

“His predecessor, Keir Starmer, spent so much time in Kiev and at EU/Nato summits that he barely had time to visit a high street.”

A spokesperson for Day-Mer, the Turkish and Kurdish community centre, which has campaigned against poverty and exploitation of local communities, said the PM’s plans should be accompanied by “efforts to address local poverty, youth employment and employment in general as well as use of public spaces for the benefit of communities.”

“This is in addition to creating meaningful opportunities for people employed in bet shops and running vape shops in the short term. 

“Without restorative action such calls only amount to populist vote baiting.”