Andy Burnham has indicated that he will introduce a so-called “Amazon tax” in a massive reform of business rates, in a bid to save Britain’s struggling high streets. The former Manchester mayor, now prime minister-in-waiting, has promised to stick to Labour’s 2024 election manifesto pledges of not raising income tax, VAT or national insurance personal contributions.
He has said he would look at hiking business rates on the giant warehouses that are emerging to service massive online retail companies like Amazon, while lifting high street shops and pubs out of having to pay the business rates.
The recently elected Makerfield MP said he is yet to decide who will be his chancellor when he is expected to be unveiled as Britain’s next prime minister on 20th July, despite speculation it could be energy secretary Ed Miliband or former health secretary Wes Streeting.
On taxeshe said: “I stick by the manifesto and the promises that it made. There is some room within that manifesto for movement on tax, so if you take business rates, for instance, I believe there is a case for higher business rates on warehouses and the major developments we see on the outskirts of our cities, so that we can cut business rates for pubs, and I’ve proposed a 20% cut and lift some high street businesses out of business rates altogether. I think it’s important to, if you like, prioritise and reward the businesses that bring social benefit, the businesses that bring people together, the bars, the restaurants, the coffee shops, the hairdressers, because the high street really needs to get more of our attention.”
He added that his generation of politicians has “failed” and needs to offer something better. He promised to rule by three principles, which he has developed in Manchester. “I’ve said place first, not party first, problem solved. Solving, not point scoring, long term, not short term, and I think those are three good principles to underpin British politics at a national level going forward.”
Author: George Shaw
Former BBC journalist and founder and CEO of an award-winning London advertising and PR company for 20 years, providing restaurant consultancy services. Spent a decade as the director of communications of the Asian Catering Federation in the UK and lead judge for its various restaurant and chef awards programmes. Now returned to journalism, specialising in food and travel and currently the Editor-in-Chief for Taste London, Taste Asia, the Good Curry Guide and CEO of International Culinary Guides.