Reform of business rates in the UK

Demands for government to remodel the UK’s system of local business property taxation have been growing in line with the shift to online retailing, and have been sharpened by the pain of revaluation. The operators of traditional “physical” retail outlets argue that they are particularly disadvantaged by taxes on property. While some minor amendments were introduced early this year, and again in the Budget, a promise to look further at reform has opened a critical economic debate. This bulletin examines the issues and the options.