With growth at zero, businesses warn: There must be no more taxes in Budget

RACHEL Reeves must not impose any extra burdens on employers, business leaders have warned after the brakes were slammed on economic growth.

- BY JONATHAN WALKER Whitehall Editor

The Tories yesterday accused the Chancellor and the Prime Minister of losing their grip as figures revealed a slower than expected 0.1% growth in GDP over three months.

Ms Reeves tried to blame a cyber-attack that halted production at carmaker Jaguar Land Rover.

But manufacturers pointed the finger at last year’s hike in employers’ national insurance contributions - and demanded the Chancellor ease off the pressure on November 26.

The British Chambers of Commerce said: “There must be no more taxes on business in the Budget.”

Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said: “The economy shrank under a Prime Minister and Chancellor who are in office but not in power.”