Several UK supermarkets, including Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Lidl, have requested exemption from a proposed business rates surtax, arguing it could increase costs and lead to higher prices for consumers.

The letter, organized by the British Retail Consortium, highlights that large retail premises account for a third of the sector’s total business rates bill, potentially pushing food inflation even higher.

The supermarkets are urging the Chancellor to address the disproportionate tax burden on the retail sector to support jobs and investment across the country, stating it would help tackle food inflation without costing the taxpayer.

BRC CEO Helen Dickinson emphasized that large retail stores sustain nearly one million British jobs and contribute significantly to business rates, calling for an exclusion from the new surtax to alleviate pressure on the industry and consumers.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: UK supermarkets ask chancellor for exclusion from business rates surtax