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Labour warns high streets could become ‘ghost towns’ in local lockdown areas
A deserted High Street in Leicester

LABOUR is calling for more support for workers and businesses in areas with local restrictions in a bid to safeguard thousands of jobs.

The party warned last night that high streets could turn to “ghost towns” in areas with new local lockdowns because of Covid-19.

Labour said there was a £170 million underspend in the government’s Covid-19 grants programme for businesses in areas with local restrictions, arguing that ministers are clawing this sum back rather than using it to safeguard jobs and livelihoods.

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