‘Smoke and mirrors’: Why high street still faces a £250m tax hike under Healey

Andy Burnham propelled himself to Downing Street by pledging a revival of Britain s struggling high streets. Felix Armstrong asks: has John Healey delivered it? Among the sectors clamouring for John Healey’s attention ahead of his maiden Budget, none were louder than those calling for the government to revitalise Britain’s ailing high street retailers. Shuttered shops, peeling paint and lifeless town squares have become the norm and are in dire need of support, they had told Healey. Bosses of retail juggernauts including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and B Q owner Kingfisher were among those lending their voice to this cause, though their influence was eclipsed by one man. “I ve heard calls from members across this house,” John Healey said at the despatch box on Wednesday. “A call from one member in particular” was the loudest, he said, “my right honourable friend the member for Makerfield,” gesturing to the Prime Minister. Burnham made his pledge to bring new life to British town cen