New Proposal: Tax Online Sales to Save High Street Shops!
New Proposal: Tax Online Sales to Save High Street Shops!
A new alliance urges Andy Burnham to tax online sales by 2% to slash business rates for brick-and-mortar stores by 37%. Could this reform save our high streets? #BusinessRatesReform
A new coalition of business groups, the Real Rates Reform Alliance, is calling on Andy Burnham to implement a radical overhaul of Britain's business rates system. Their bold proposal suggests taxing all online sales at a rate of 2% to significantly cut business rates for struggling brick-and-mortar firms by a substantial 37%.
The alliance emphasizes that the current business rates system is "broken and unsustainable," placing immense pressure on physical retail and other businesses across the nation. This reform aims to level the playing field between online giants and traditional high street shops, which often bear a heavier tax burden.
By shifting a portion of the tax responsibility to online transactions, the coalition hopes to provide much-needed relief to physical businesses. This move is seen as crucial for the survival and revitalization of town centres and high streets, which have been hit hard by changing consumer habits and economic challenges. The call to action is directed at political leaders like Andy Burnham, urging them to "go further" in addressing these critical economic issues.
