Former M&S boss brands Andy Burnham's plan to 'save high streets' as a 'lot of b******s about nothing'

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 13:17, 11 August 2026 | Updated: 13:19, 11 August 2026 A former boss of Marks & Spencer has branded Andy Burnham's plan to save high streets as 'a lot of b******s about nothing'. Lord Stuart Rose, who is also a former chairman of Asda, criticised the Prime Minister's proposals as 'a lot of hot air'. Mr Burnham has pledged a crackdown on the setting up of new betting and vape shops to turn around 'hollowed out' high streets. The PM has announced changes to planning policy to 'give local communities the power to turn things around'. But Lord Rose, a Tory peer, said the action would do nothing to revive town centres without also reforming business rates and efforts to cut firms' costs. 'Forgive my French but it's a lot of b******s about nothing,' he told BBC Newsnight. 'Getting rid of vape shops won't save the high street.' He added: 'If the vape shops are illegal they should be shut down full stop! Ditto betting shops, although neither activity is illegal. 'By all means give local councils teeth but none of this will revive high streets unless rates are reformed and cost to employ reduced. Just a lot of hot air.' A former boss of Marks & Spencer has branded Andy Burnham's plan to save high streets as 'a lot of b******s about nothing' Lord Stuart Rose, who is also a former chairman of Asda , criticised the Prime Minister's proposals as 'a lot of hot air' Under Mr Burnham's plans, it will become easier for councils to refuse permission for new betting shops to open when there are concerns locally. Ministers will revoke the 'Aim to Permit' rule introduced when Tony Blair's government – in which Mr Burnham served – liberalised gambling. So-called Adult Gaming Centres, which offer slot machines up to 24 hours a day, will also require planning permission. Vaping shops will also have to apply for planning permission while the definition will be tightened to prevent them getting round the rules by claiming to be convenience stores. The maximum length of Closure Orders for rogue shops linked to organised crime - such as barbers - will also double from six to 12 months. The move, first announced by Keir Starmer's administration, will give police and local authorities more time to investigate. Downing Street said the Government will also work with councils to improve the appearance of high streets and help restore pride. Speaking on a visit to Derbyshire on Tuesday, Mr Burnham said: 'There's a real concern across the country – I felt it in the Makerfield by-election – about high streets that have been hollowed out, particularly in former industrial areas, that have just been in decline for a long time. 'And I want to give local communities the power to turn things around. 'And that means clamping down on some of the businesses that cause harm in communities and then supporting those that bring life back to our high street. 'So, we are announcing big changes today to give communities more control over planning when it comes to vape shops, adult gaming centres, and also the proliferation of betting shops by removing the aim to permit.' James Cleverly, the Tory shadow communities secretary, said it was 'Labour's business rates hikes' which have 'hollowed out' high streets. 'Everyone can see what has happened to our high streets, with once-treasured shops being replaced by a smattering of rogue operators, many of which have links to organised crime and fraud,' he said. 'Conservatives would cut business rates for high street firms and back the small businesses that give a town centre its character. 'Unless the Government takes steps to support the high streets and hard-working businesses, Labour's increases in planning regulation will just mean more empty and boarded-up shops.' Reform UK's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said: 'Until this Government scraps the jobs tax, addresses sky-high business rates and provides real, fundamental support for high street businesses, this policy will only create even more empty shops on our high streets. 'Preventing businesses from opening only works if the Government and local councils make it attractive for the right kind of shops to open in their place. 'Labour is doing the opposite by making life harder for small, legitimate businesses to operate on our high streets.' Since becoming PM, Mr Burnham has announced a 20 per cent cut to business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues across England from April next year. But he did not extend the relief to struggling restaurants, cafes and hotels despite having previously promised to help family-owned firms during his Makerfield by-election campaign.