Firms call for Government to reform business rates or risk a high street collapse

In a letter to Rishi Sunak before next month's budget, the chief executives of 18 retail and property organisations, representing more than a million employees and tens of thousands of shops, say failing to overhaul the commercial equivalent of council tax will hamper the ability of high streets and town centres to recover from the pandemic.

The letter, which is also signed by the bosses of Asda and Morrisons as well as members of the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC), says the current system is "not sustainable in the long term and without reform, shops at the heart of communities will be at risk".

The letter makes the following specific recommendations:

1. Reducing the business rates multiplier: The multiplier has risen from 35% in 1990 to more than 50% today. It should be significantly reduced, focusing on a level closer to the original rate of around 35% of the market rent. This would make the UK more competitive and show the Government is backing British shops.
2. Level the playing field on tax: Currently online retailers pay a lower proportion of tax per sale than bricks and mortar retailers. We urge the Government to rebalance the tax base to ensure online and bricks and mortar retailers pay a similar proportion of tax and we welcome the consideration of viable options in the Government's ‘fundamental' review.

Ther letter urges Sunak "to use the upcoming budget to commit to fundamental reform of business rates focused on reducing the burden on retailers and levelling the playing field between bricks and mortar and online businesses". 

The letter comes as the Treasury explores options for an online sales tax in response to the explosion in internet shopping since the pandemic to help stem the collapse of the high street.

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