Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is to announce extra funding for more than 330 "overlooked" communities across the UK along with powers to block “unwanted” barbers and betting and vape shops.

Sir Keir Starmer

The government’s new Pride in Place programme aims to revitalise neglected high streets by handing greater control to local councils and communities.

The programme will hand over a “historic” level of funding, set to be announced at the Autumn Budget, the government said.

Labour’s plans include new community right-to-buy powers to allow local people to buy community assets, such as derelict pubs.

The government wants to beef up compulsory purchase powers to tackle boarded-up shops and derelict abandoned businesses.

The programme will also give councils the power to block “unwanted betting shops, vape stores and fake barbers” by requiring planning applications for changes of use for those functions.

Claire Fallows, partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, said the proposals could give local authorities “more control over the proliferation” of those businesses.

She added: “However, these types of businesses are often filling spaces on the high street and this doesn’t resolve the underlying issue of how to attract viable new occupiers.

“As for the right to buy, if what’s actually being proposed is an extension of the existing ‘right to bid,’ the main impact will be giving communities more time to raise funds and make an offer. However, unless the rules change, there’s still no guarantee that their offer will be successful.”

Ion Fletcher, director of policy (finance), British Property Federation, said: “Thriving and successful town centres are key to delivering wider aspirations around economic growth and new jobs, as well as delivering much-needed new homes. For these measures to succeed, local areas will need to attract investment, supported by renewed public/private partnerships and adequately resourced local authorities.

“However, in seeking to address the blight of empty shops, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that property owners want their buildings occupied. Where department stores sit empty, this is due to a lack of demand in the local economy and high occupation costs.”

Housing secretary Steve Reed said: “When people step out of their front doors, they know their communities are struggling. They see shuttered pubs, fading high streets and their local areas in decline.

“Yes, communities have been stretched – but they haven’t given up. They’re working hard to make things better, and we’re backing them.

“The government is putting power into their hands so local people decide how best to restore pride in their neighbourhoods, not us in Westminster. That’s what real patriotism looks like: building up our communities and choosing renewal over division.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is also said to be exploring potential business rate reforms to smooth “cliff-edges” with an announcement also expected at the Autumn Budget.