Britain's high streets are suffering. In towns and cities across the country, boarded up shopfronts and empty lots are now the norm.

Streets that were once the beating heart of our communities are now run-down hubs of antisocial behaviour. Since the election, Labour has brought in a wave of tax hikes that have hammered the small businesses we all like to see in our town centres.

They have heaped costs on the shoulders of the very firms we need to thrive if we want a stronger economy and happier towns.

Rachel Reeves lacks the backbone to stand up to her party's Left-wing backbenchers - and we are all paying the price for her weakness.

I used to work in retail. I loved it - it was great to meet new people every day and learn about business. And it also means I understand the pressures high street businesses face. I know how hard Labour has made it for them to make ends meet.

So we are launching a new campaign for Stronger High Streets, with a range of measures to back high street firms.

We will abolish business rates for many retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. This will free up to 250,000 small businesses across the country from ever-rising tax bills.

These businesses are crucial pillars of the community, and provide opportunities for many - including young people starting their first jobs.

We will also cut electricity bills for business with our Cheap Power Plan. This will remove expensive green subsidies and lower costs by 20% for consumers, including high street businesses.

We will cut the red tape that consumes so much of businesses' time and money.

And we will defend key pillars of the community such as post offices, pubs and pharmacies.

But this is also about tackling crime and antisocial behaviour.

High street firms are facing the growing scourge of retail crime. Shoplifting is running rampant, with many offenders getting away with repeat offending.

New statistics show shoplifting is up 13% in the past year alone, with Labour failing to take real action - instead presiding over a fall in officer numbers.

So we will hire 10,000 new officers, implement hot-spot policing and triple stop and search.

Because our communities deserve safe, thriving high streets. They are the building blocks for happy communities.

The Conservatives are the only party with a serious plan to deliver Stronger High Streets and a stronger economy.