Save high street by taxing online sales at higher rate, Burnham urged

Exclusive: British Chambers of Commerce president tells PM to ‘level the playing field’ for struggling high streets

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Andy 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.