Further tax hikes will be ‘final nail’ for Britain’s high streets, top retail bosses warn Healey ahead of Budget

Comment now Next TOP retailers have warned further tax hikes will be the “final nail” for Britain’s high streets. Big firms fear being stung in Chancellor John Healey’s Budget later this month. Top retailers have warned John Healey that further tax hikes will be the ‘final nail’ for Britain’s high streets Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Andrew Griffith said: ‘Thanks to Labour’s Jobs Tax and employment red tape, unemployment is up, leaving hundreds of thousands out of work and living off welfare’ Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Advertisement John Lewis boss Jason Tarry said targeting the biggest names in “a crude ‘large versus small’ equation doesn’t add up”. He told the Daily Telegraph: “Penalising anchor retailers through higher business rates risks harming the smaller businesses operating in their orbit.” Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Machin hit out at former Chancellor Rachel Reeves over her tax raises. He urged Mr Healey to reverse “the mistakes of the last two Budgets”. Read More on Politics ON ME THREAD Tories' spoof version of Bayeux Tapestry honours Sun scoops as it mocks Labour BITTER, KEIR? Starmer drowns sorrows & Reeves laughs with vaping aides as they hit pub It comes as figures show UK employers pay almost £2,000 more in tax on an employee earning £30,000 compared to bosses of firms in Florida . The British Chambers of Commerce said more taxes in the Budget would be fatal for the country’s economic outlook. Kate Shoesmith, its director of policy, said the Chancellor must cut business costs to enable firms to grow. She added: “Any further tax rises on firms in the budget would be the final nail in the coffin for the country’s economic ambitions.” Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith said: “Thanks to Labour’s Jobs Tax and employment red tape, unemployment is up, leaving hundreds of thousands out of work and living off welfare.” Advertisement Most read in The Sun DOCTOR HIT Cops probing murder of celeb surgeon identify woman suspected of ordering hit TOP GEAR PAL My pal Ranulph Fiennes 'shouldn't be in a care home' Jeremy Clarkson blasts DEADLY DRUG Two Ole Miss students found dead on same day 'bought Kratom pills days before' GREENS 'CAPTURE' Green Party may have been captured by 'extremists & racists', warns top MP A Treasury spokesman said: “We are backing firms through business rates cuts, a cap on corporation tax and a £4.3billion package to help businesses manage costs and keep investing.” Treasury sources said there are no plans for a warehouse tax. Comment now