Usdaw trade union has partnered with major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and the Co-op to write to the Chancellor urging him to cut “Shops Tax”.
The coalition named the “Retail Jobs Alliance” calls for creating an online sales tax to substitute the overall cut in business rates.
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis explained the retail industry was facing “one of the most difficult times in history” and that the pandemic “accelerated the move towards online shopping.”
READ MORE: Usdaw urges Chancellor to tackle 9% RPI
“It is clear that the sector urgently needs a retail recovery plan. Usdaw continues to campaign for the Government to introduce a genuine plan to ‘Save our Shops’, with business rates reform being one of our key demands,” Lillis said.
Lillis outlined that fundamental reform of the system to “revive the high street” already received full support from delegates at their annual conference.
According to Usdaw the current system “is not fit for purpose” and places brick and mortar retailers at a significant disadvantage to online retail – and action is required to level out the playing field.
Lillis added: “Cutting the ‘Shops Tax’ will help protect shops from closure, encourage growth in high street retail, reinvigorate our struggling town and city centres, allow retailers to innovate and importantly protect and create jobs.”
“This ground-breaking ‘Retail Jobs Alliance’ will be providing further evidence of the positive effect business rates reform will have on staff, shops and communities. We will also be seeking further engagement with the Government on this important issue.”
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