M&S executives wrote earlier this year to both Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, demanding that they do more to tackle shoplifting.
Writing in The Telegraph, Thinus Keeve, the M&S retail director, said: “Without a government seriously cracking down on crime and a mayor that prioritises effective policing, we are powerless.”
Mr Machin has also urged the Government to roll back taxes and regulation to stop the cost of a weekly shop spiralling higher, saying: “There is so much in the Government’s control. So my advice to Government is to reduce some of the tax and regulatory burdens and free us up in a very competitive market.”
Helen Dickinson, the chief executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: “The cost burden on retail is higher than it’s ever been before, and it’s the everyday public who suffer as mounting government policy drives up prices.”
A spokesman for the Treasury said: “We have the right economic plan – we’re backing the high street by reforming business rates, with a £4.3bn support package to limit bills rises, capping corporation tax at 25pc, cutting red tape and taking action on the cost of living to boost the sector.
“The decisions we made at the Budget mean we can stabilise the economy and deliver support for families and businesses, including cutting the cost of living.”
M&S’s annual report, published on Monday, also revealed Mr Machin’s total pay package halved last year.
He made £3.97m, including his salary and pension, down from £7.1m a year earlier. The drop was fuelled by the retailer’s decision to scrap bonuses last year after a damaging cyber attack, as well as lower awards from a share performance plan.