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Thu, 27 Aug 2026

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 Sports Direct founder attacks Burnham's 'populist' High Street plans

In a letter, the entrepreneur accuses the prime minister of "jumping on 'everyday fixes' or bandwagons" with his latest cost of living and retail policies.

* Mike Ashley, founder of Sports Direct, has criticized Andy Burnham's policies as "populist reactions" and accused him of trying to fix underlying business challenges with quick fixes.
* In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ashley complained about disastrous business rates policies and increases in employment costs that are causing businesses to struggle.
* He described a proposal to increase business rates on large warehouses to help reduce them for pubs and clubs as "delusional".
* Burnham's office responded by saying he would build a new economy that backs British business and delivers growth, and that promises such as cutting VAT on household electricity bills and reducing business rates are just the start.
* Ashley called on Burnham to lower costs for employers and change the government's position on business rates in his first Budget, scheduled for October 27.
* He warned that shortsighted or populist reactions would not solve underlying business challenges and said that a fundamental overhaul of the tax system is needed.
* The billionaire entrepreneur also attacked Burnham's plan to clamp down on the use of recommended retail prices, saying the real issue was price fixing in markets such as sporting goods.