Crackdown on vape shops and bookies as Burnham gives councils power to choose what is on their high streets

Councils will be given greater powers to block betting shops and vape stores under government plans to revitalise Britain’s "hollowed-out high streets".

Andy Burnham plans to abolish the so-called "aim to permit" rule, first introduced by Sir Tony Blair, which limits the ability of town halls to refuse licences to gambling premises and venues with round-the-clock slot machines.