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  "path": "/money/rachel-reeves-slammed-for-job-tax",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-11T19:14:47.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Rachel Reeves's leaked Budget viewed nearly 25,000 times before official release, report finds",
    "Rachel Reeves urged to 'remove many restrictions' on ISAs under savings proposal",
    "Rachel Reeves delays key decision as independence of OBR called into question: 'Get going!'",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nShadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith has warned Britain’s high streets face a “perfect storm” of financial pressures, which have been worsened by Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s employment tax policies.\n\nThe Conservative MP said town centres are struggling with rising costs and growing regulatory demands on retailers and hospitality firms.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHis comments follow a new report from Parliament’s Business and Trade Committee, which examined the challenges facing high street businesses.\n\nThe committee highlighted business rates, retail crime, staffing costs and energy bills as major pressures. It said these costs fall especially heavily on high street firms compared with other sectors.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Griffith said the findings match what he hears from business owners trying to stay afloat. Many, he said, are finding it difficult to maintain staffing levels and cover fixed costs while consumer spending remains weak.\n\nHe described a recent visit to Godalming with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, where they met shop owners, café operators and family‑run businesses.\n\nHe said several told him current policies threaten their long‑term viability.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Griffith argued Labour’s employment levy has increased staffing costs.\n\nHe labelled the Government’s employment legislation an “Unemployment Bill”, saying it will mean fewer jobs, more shuttered shops and emptier high streets.\n\nHe also said rising business rates are placing a heavy strain on traders because they must be paid regardless of profitability or footfall.\n\nThe Conservatives have said they would scrap business rates for tens of thousands of high street firms.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Rachel Reeves's leaked Budget viewed nearly 25,000 times before official release, report finds\n  * Rachel Reeves urged to 'remove many restrictions' on ISAs under savings proposal\n  * Rachel Reeves delays key decision as independence of OBR called into question: 'Get going!'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThey say the policy would be funded through welfare reforms designed to encourage more people into work.\n\nThe party has also set out plans to reduce retail crime, including recruiting 10,000 additional police officers.\n\nMr Griffith said shoplifting and verbal abuse are becoming more common. He said the Conservatives would strengthen neighbourhood policing, end early prisoner release schemes and expand police powers to protect businesses.\n\nHe added: “Only the Conservatives have the team, the plan and the leader with experience of business and the backbone to act.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe party has also pledged to remove the carbon tax on electricity under its Cheap Power Plan. It says this would cut energy bills for hospitality firms, with typical restaurants saving nearly £5,000 and pubs more than £1,100.\n\nMr Griffiths said Labour would focus on taxation and regulation, while the Conservatives would prioritise reducing costs and supporting investment.\n\nHis comments come as many town centres continue to face rising operating costs and shifting consumer behaviour.\n\nIndustry groups have repeatedly warned about the long‑term sustainability of some high street businesses under current pressures.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Rachel Reeves slammed for 'job tax' as high streets face 'perfect storm' under Labour's tax plans"
}