Labour will reboot North Somerset’s ailing local economy with action to bring new life to struggling high streets and to provide new jobs for people in the area, the party’s general election candidate has set out.

During a visit to the local food business Brakes a Sysco company this week (Tuesday 18 June) Labour’s Parliamentary candidate Sadik Al-Hassan set out a list of actions to help local businesses prosper and revitalise North Somerset’s high streets.

“Local businesses have been hard-hit by 14 years of Conservative chaos and cronyism, with many forced to shut up shop leading to a loss of good jobs and leaving many of our communities with no access to vital services such as banking and post offices,” he pointed out.

“I was delighted to be invited to Brakes Sysco on Tuesday. It was exciting to gain invaluable insight into a business which has committed to looking after its employees and contributing positively to North Somerset’s economy. As North Somerset’s MP, I will champion more good employers like this,” he added.

Sadik said “I learnt that, like many businesses in North Somerset, Brakes is facing particular challenges in recruitment. After working in business myself for nearly two decades, I understand these challenges first-hand — recruitment and retention across all roles is harder. If I am elected, working to fix these to help power up businesses in our area will be a priority.”

“Brakes and many other local businesses also face challenges with energy costs. I was pleased to hear about their plans to build their own wind turbine to tackle this. I look forward to championing similar initiatives and local energy cooperatives if elected on 4 July,” he added.

“Labour has produced a detailed programme to boost the local economy, with plans to revitalise our high streets, deliver community banking hubs, tackle anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, as well as introducing powers to take over empty and boarded-up shops,” Sadik explained.

“Replacing business rates with a fairer system for local firms will be part of a package of measures to make life easier for small enterprises,” he added. “This will also give smaller firms a fair chance to secure public contracts.”

“At the same time, our new deal for working people will help to put an end to poorly paid and insecure employment, giving everyone key employment rights, a genuine living wage and an end to ‘fire and rehire’ practices,” Sadik said.

Labour’s plans to give more powers to local communities will also give local firms better access to skilled staff, with Technical Excellence Colleges connected to local economic needs.

“On 4 July, North Somerset voters have a real chance to help change their communities after 14 years of neglect,” Sadik added. “We have a detailed strategy for growth – rooted in local firms and enterprises – backed up by measures which will bring much-needed new life to our high streets.”