MP Grant Shapps, minister of state for housing and local government, has been tasked with working on Mary Portas’ recommendations for reviving Britain’s high streets.

In her high street review, published last week, Portas set out 28 recommendations, including reducing red tape, introducing a National Market Day, and levelling the playing field for high streets and out-of-town shopping centres when it comes to parking charges.

On the day the report was published (13 December) Shapps said on Twitter: "I welcome Mary Portas’ excellent review into our high streets. We’ll carefully consider Mary’s recommendations & respond in the Spring with measures to support our high streets."

>>Portas review prompts mixed response and call for action