Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering imposing higher taxes on the likes of Amazon in a bid to support the UK’s struggling high streets.
Reeves is thought to be exploring the idea of raising business rates paid by online tech giants in a wider shake-up on property taxes, The Telegraph reported.
As part of her review, Reeves could scrutinise how much Amazon’s warehouses pay in tax in comparison to retailers on their store estates.
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It comes as retail bosses have ramped up calls for the Chancellor to reform the current business rates system and consider imposing new levies on deliveries.
Industry sources told the publication that Reeves could launch a consultation on the proposal after her first Budget next week.
The new Government is also planning to overhaul the business rates system after claiming in its manifesto that it wanted to “level the playing field between the high street and online giants”.
It mentioned the current system “disincentivises investment, creates uncertainty and places an undue burden on our high streets”.
The statements have since fuelled speculation that online retailers could be targeted.
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