Marks & Spencer boss accuses Labour of ‘one of the biggest tax grabs in history’

Marks Spencer boss Stuart Machin has accused the government of mounting “one of the biggest tax grabs in history” in a scathing attack on Labour s efforts to boost economic growth. The retail boss told reporters that the three Budgets since Labour came to power have resulted in about £73bn in extra taxes, claiming the government has failed to deliver on its pledge to boost economic growth. He said: “When you look at the last three Budgets, you can’t just ignore the fact that this is probably one of the biggest tax grabs in history that I’ve seen.” Machin described last week’s Budget as “a whole lot of nothing”. He said M S were “disappointed” by Healey’s first major act as Chancellor “because it didn t really address the issues that we needed to focus on growth”. Though the Budget was billed as a “do no harm” event, Machin said that the Chancellor’s announcement on business rates will add another £10m pounds on top of the £170m its firm already pays annually. Retaile