High streets are fighting for survival amid the failures of a host of retailers

VAT laws should be reformed to create a two-tier system for online and physical retailers in an attempt to save the country’s dying high streets.

As calls grow for an “Amazon tax” on online retailers, one of Britain’s largest property consultancies has argued that an overhaul of the VAT regime would be a more effective way of saving shops.

Colliers International suggests that charging 15 per cent sales tax for purchases in stores and 22.5 per cent VAT for online transactions would help to level the playing field.

Paul Souber, head of London retail at Colliers International, said: “We’re all familiar with being asked in sandwich bars if we’re ‘eating in or taking away’. For shopping, could we create a similarly two-tiered VAT system? This