The Prime Minister and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have announced that 55 ‘left-behind’ towns will receive £20 million each to revive their high streets, tackle anti-social behaviour, improve transport and grow the local economy.

The plan states that “needless red tape” will be removed for change of use applications and an automatic right to convert empty commercial buildings into homes for local people will be granted.

Sunak states that he will establish a Towns Taskforce reporting directly to him. The taskforce will work on reforming licensing rules to make it easier for towns to repurpose buildings and create more housing in town centres.