Angela Rayner has said voters will begin to see a difference in their high street before the next general election as Labour prioritises investment in struggling local communities.

The housing secretary said the government had made it a top priority before the country goes to the polls to begin turning around the fortunes of places blighted by boarded-up shops and rogue businesses.

“There’s been a real sense of decline,” she said. “People see it as part of the identity of their town and area, and that’s why we’ve got our high streets strategy.”

Speaking after John Healey, the chancellor, earmarked more than £1bn in his debut budget on Wednesday to support retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, Rayner signalled that the government stood ready to take further action.

“The chancellor has shown he’s backing our high streets, backing our businesses that have been struggling and giving them the breathing space,” she said.…