Shopkeepers are urging Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to back changes to business rates, arguing the tax is harming independent retailers. The appeal calls for a “root-and-branch” overhaul of business rates, which shop owners describe as among the most unfair taxes in Britain. The request is framed around the impact on small and independent shops, with campaigners seeking reforms that would reduce costs and make it easier for high-street businesses to operate. The reporting emphasizes that the proposed changes are aimed at supporting local retail, rather than specific alternatives to business rates such as direct subsidies or targeted exemptions. Overall, the articles present the issue as a political and economic pressure point for Burnham, with shopkeepers pressing for reform and highlighting business rates as the main concern. The coverage is consistent in describing the same call to action and the same core complaint about how the current system affects independent businesses, with no additional details on the specific policy mechanism beyond the demand for wide-ranging reform.