There seems to be a slight mix-up in your statement.
While **Andy Burnham**, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has indeed been a vocal advocate for revitalizing town centres and has frequently spoken about them being “hollowed out” by decades of decline, the announcement regarding councils receiving more powers to stop vape and betting shops would have been made by the current **Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak**.
**Here’s a breakdown of the actual news:**
* **Who announced it:** Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
* **What was announced:** Councils in England are to be given new planning powers to prevent the proliferation of vape and betting shops on high streets.
* **The rationale (as stated by the PM/Government):** This is part of a broader government push to regenerate town centres, diversify high streets, and make them more attractive places for communities. The concern is that an over-concentration of certain types of shops can deter other businesses and contribute to the decline of town centres.
* **Andy Burnham’s role:** He is a prominent voice highlighting the issue of declining town centres and advocating for local control, aligning with the sentiment behind this policy, but he is not the Prime Minister making the national announcement. His quote accurately reflects the shared concern across different levels of government and local leadership.
* **How it works:** The new powers are expected to allow local authorities to reject planning applications for new vape or betting shops more easily, and potentially restrict their density in specific areas, giving councils greater control over the mix of businesses on their high streets.
