The Sun: ‘PM Gordon's a scrooge'

EVERY family will hand over £225 to the taxman when they go Christmas shopping this year.

PM Gordon Brown will rake in a record £5.65billion in VAT on goods ranging from booze to iPhones and even crackers. Only books, food and children’s clothes are exempt.

The scale of festive tax is revealed in a study by the Taxpayers’ Alliance.

Former Treasury economist Mike Denham, who compiled the report, branded the PM a SCROOGE last night.

He said: “While Santa comes down the chimney, Gordon is sneaking through the back door and taking the presents from under the tree.

“People make enormous effort to make Christmas merry and bright, but the taxman refuses to join in the fun.”

Britons will splash out £33.6billion on enjoying themselves over the next few days’ festivities.