Mike Ashley Calls Andy Burnham's Retail Policies 'Populist' in Letter

Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley has criticised Prime Minister Andy Burnham's cost of living and retail policies as "populist" in a letter, accusing him of "jumping on 'everyday fixes' or bandwagons" while businesses struggle with the government's "disastrous" business rates policies and higher employment costs. Ashley also described a proposal to increase business rates on large warehouses to help reduce rates for pubs and clubs as "delusional". A Downing Street spokesperson said Burnham would "build a new economy that backs British business, delivers growth in every postcode and ensures the essentials in life... are affordable again".

Removing VAT from household electricity bills and reducing business rates for some firms was "just the start", the spokesperson added. Burnham has promised to revitalise Britain's "hollowed out" High Streets and address cost of living concerns by tackling "rip-off Britain", including misleading discounting in shops. Ashley's letter, seen by the BBC and first reported by the Financial Times, calls on Burnham to use his first Budget, scheduled for 28 October, to lower costs for employers and address business rates.