Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Tesco and M&S Warn Burnham Against Budget Tax Raid on Retailers

The Retail Jobs Alliance says 4,000 large stores employ one in three retail workers and warns higher rates would raise prices and cut investment.

  • The Retail Jobs Alliance , a coalition of major UK retailers including Tesco, Asda, and Marks & Spencer , warned Prime Minister Andy Burnham that a potential budget tax raid threatens store viability and employment across the country.
  • Executives fear Chancellor John Healey will increase the higher business rates multiplier from the 50.8p level set by Rachel Reeves last November, compounding existing sector pressures.
  • The RJA told Burnham that "Retail is the most highly taxed sector relative to its economic output, paying 21% of all business rates despite representing only 5% of GDP," while the autumn budget alone added £7bn in new costs last year.
  • Usdaw, the fifth-biggest trade union in Britain with 370,000 members, signed the letter, emphasizing that retail provides essential employment pathways for young people examined in the Alan Milburn review.
  • Chancellor John Healey will present his first budget in about eight weeks, with speculation mounting that the government will target banking, oil, gas, and retail for a fresh tax raid.
Insights by Ground AI

7 Articles

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 80% of the sources are Center
80% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Great Yorkshire Radio broke the news on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal