The boss of Barclays yesterday rejected growing calls for a windfall tax on banks. The biggest banks, including Barclays, already pay a 3 per cent surcharge above the 25 per cent corporation tax rate. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: ‘Big banks like Barclays are raking it in while working people and local businesses are struggling. ‘High interest rates have been a boon for banks, but have meant mortgage misery and higher bills for the rest of us. Gary Greenwood, banking analyst at Shore Capital, said that while the investment bank was a ‘stand-out performer’, Barclays UK fell short of expectations and the US consumer bank underperformed.