A senior business leader has called on the government to impose higher taxes on online sales compared to physical stores, arguing the move could help revive struggling high streets facing closure. With the prime minister and chancellor set to deliver their first budget, the proposal comes as part of broader efforts to address the decline of brick-and-mortar retail amid rising competition from digital commerce. The push follows concerns over the growing number of shops shutting down across the UK, with some towns seeing potential for revival as a model for broader economic recovery. Critics argue urgent action is needed to prevent further damage to local economies dependent on traditional retail.
Exclusive: British Chambers of Commerce president tells PM to ‘level the playing field’ for struggling high streets• How Middleton’s revival could be grist to the mill for Britain’s struggling townsAndy Burnham has been urged by one of his most senior former advisers to tax internet sales at a higher rate than those in physical shops to help “level the playing field” for struggling high streets.As the prime minister and his chancellor, John Healey, prepare for their first budget next week, Andy Haldane joined calls for them to take action to stop the shutters coming down on growing numbers of shops across the UK. Continue reading...
