Politics · United Kingdom · 2 days ago
M&S chief urges government to cut business costs and boost growth
Stuart Machin, chief executive of Marks & Spencer, has criticised the government’s approach to business taxes and costs.
He says measures introduced in previous Budgets have disappointed businesses and customers.
Machin argues that higher costs for employers contribute to higher prices.
He points to the increase in employer National Insurance, new worker rights, recycling rules, a packaging tax and business rates.
Other business leaders have also called for the next Budget to support job creation and growth.
Their comments come as Chancellor John Healey prepares to deliver a Budget on October 28.
They want the government to use it to reduce pressure on businesses and give them clearer reasons to invest and hire.
M&S chief executive Stuart Machin urged Chancellor John Healey to reverse what he called mistakes in the last two Budgets and support economic growth.
Machin said rising taxes and other business costs had contributed to higher prices.
He criticised employer National Insurance changes, new worker rights, recycling rules, a packaging tax and the business rates system.
Other business leaders also called for growth-focused measures and warned that higher taxes could harm businesses and high streets.
Healey’s Budget was due on October 28, according to the Daily Mail.
- Who
- Stuart Machin, chief executive of Marks & Spencer, urged Chancellor John Healey to change course. Other business leaders also voiced concerns.
- What
- Machin called for lower business costs and measures to support growth. He criticised several tax and regulatory policies.
- When
- The articles were published on October 9 and 10, 2026. The Daily Mail said the Budget was due on October 28.
- Where
- The debate concerns Britain and its businesses.
- Why
- Machin said rising taxes and other costs had pushed up the cost of doing business and contributed to higher prices.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
get Britain growing by taking the handcuffs off business and putting money back in people's pockets
we need real growth policies as opposed to statements about the importance of growth
no high street shop should face higher taxes
The Daily Mail published Machin’s call for the government to reverse what he described as mistakes in the last two Budgets.
This is Money published a report repeating Machin’s criticism of Labour’s previous efforts.
The Daily Mail said John Healey’s Budget was due on this date.
- Company
- Marks & Spencer
- Chief executive
- Stuart Machin
- Chancellor
- John Healey
- Budget date
- October 28, according to the Daily Mail
- Packaging tax
- £2 billion, as stated in the Daily Mail
Sources
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