Nobody much likes paying tax. From time to time most taxes come under the spotlight for their perceived unfairness or economic cost. The latest to do so is business rates, a tax on businesses that depends on the value of the property they occupy.

The high street retail sector is particularly up in arms. It looks like the tax system gives online retailers a competitive advantage. They will have to pay some rates on their UK warehouses, but, relative to their turnover, a great deal less than high street shops. Given all the problems assailing the high street, surely this is a tax ripe for reform.

Well, business rates certainly are not perfect and they could do with some reform, but cutting or abolishing them