National insurance increases for shops and pubs are real and large. Pity the small operators
The Guardian|November 07, 2024
M&S, Sainsbury's and Wetherspoon's are far better placed to manage the shock of a sudden cost increase than smaller rivals
Nils Pratley

Yesterday's number of the day in the UK corporate scene was £60m. It is what Marks & Spencer expects to pay in additional employer national insurance next year, with the "same again", said Stuart Machin, the chief executive, from wage increases that were already in train before last week's budget. And £60m was also JD Wetherspoon's estimate of its increases in taxes and business costs for 2025, including a jump of 67% in national insurance contributions.

If those figures seem chunky even for large employers, wait until even bigger companies report. It would not be surprising if J Sainsbury, with 148,000 employees, says today its employer national insurance bill will rise by about £120m next year - or by slightly more than 50% from last year's level of £222m. Wage increases could add another £80m.

This story is from the November 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIANView All
Levy wants Postecoglou to steer Spurs out of trouble
The Guardian

Levy wants Postecoglou to steer Spurs out of trouble

Daniel Levy wants Ange Postecoglou to plot a course through the storm at Tottenham and the chairman continues to hope the return of key players from injury can help to save a dismal Premier League season.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 28, 2025
Extremism report warns against focus on 'ideologies of concern'
The Guardian

Extremism report warns against focus on 'ideologies of concern'

Hindu nationalism, misogyny and the \"manosphere\" have been identified as breeding grounds for extremism in a leaked report commissioned by the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, after last summer's riots.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 28, 2025
Wood delights in being let off the leash by McCullum
The Guardian

Wood delights in being let off the leash by McCullum

Mark Wood has spoken of his surprise and joy in not receiving cotton-wool treatment during England's Twenty20 series against India.

time-read
1 min  |
January 28, 2025
US tech stocks in turmoil after Chinese firm unveils AI chatbot
The Guardian

US tech stocks in turmoil after Chinese firm unveils AI chatbot

DeepSeek's emergence as rival to OpenAI seen as 'Sputnik moment'

time-read
4 mins  |
January 28, 2025
'Never again' Auschwitz survivors warn of new age of hatred
The Guardian

'Never again' Auschwitz survivors warn of new age of hatred

On a day of startling blue skies, Auschwitz survivors stood before princes and presidents yesterday to remind the world, perhaps for the final time, of the horrors they had suffered there during one of the darkest moments of human history.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 28, 2025
Relief for Borthwick as Mitchell fit to join Smith for opener
The Guardian

Relief for Borthwick as Mitchell fit to join Smith for opener

England have been handed a major boost for their Six Nations opener against Ireland on Saturday with Alex Mitchell passed fit to start at scrum-half.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 28, 2025
Carlos the Jackal Secret agents 'tricked terrorist into flight from Prague'
The Guardian

Carlos the Jackal Secret agents 'tricked terrorist into flight from Prague'

In June 1986, a pair of operatives from communist Czechoslovakia's StB intelligence service made contact with a mysterious couple staying at a Prague hotel.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 28, 2025
Bird remains found in engines of Jeju Air jet that crashed killing 179
The Guardian

Bird remains found in engines of Jeju Air jet that crashed killing 179

An investigation into the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil has found duck remains in the aircraft's engines, according to a preliminary report, suggesting the passenger jet had hit birds before slamming down on the runway.

time-read
1 min  |
January 28, 2025
WH Smith sale could turn towns into 'postal deserts'
The Guardian

WH Smith sale could turn towns into 'postal deserts'

The planned sale of WH Smith's high street stores could turn some communities into \"postal deserts,\" because 200 post offices are operated in the retailer's shops, a union has warned.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 28, 2025
We need to go 'further and faster' on growth, Reeves tells MPs
The Guardian

We need to go 'further and faster' on growth, Reeves tells MPs

Rachel Reeves has told MPs the government needs to go \"further and faster\" to boost economic growth, as Downing Street sought to reassure people concerned about the environment that net zero and increasing output went \"hand in hand\".

time-read
2 mins  |
January 28, 2025