Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of at what percentage of turnover the estimated receipts to the Exchequer for an Online Sales Tax would equal the total business rates payable on retail property.

At Autumn Budget 2021, the Government announced that it will continue to explore the arguments for and against an Online Sales Tax, the revenue from which would be used to provide business rates relief for in-store retail. The consultation will launch in the new year.

If the Government decides to proceed with such a tax, it will assess any effects on the public finances, including business rates, once the final policy decisions have been reached.