Ed Miliband targets lenders

A LABOUR government would give councils new powers to stop payday lenders and betting shops swamping high streets, Ed Miliband will pledge today.

Businesses that do well out of hard times are springing up in place of shops, restaurants and banks, but town halls are almost powerless to act, the leader of the Opposition will warn.

He will set out Labour proposals to change planning laws in England so councils could refuse permission for certain businesses, including payday lenders that “engulf” people in debt.

Launch Labour’s local election campaign, Mr Miliband will say: “Our high streets are changing – and often not for the better.”