UK retailers urge chancellor to cut employment costs for young workers
Major high street businesses meet John Healey to request lower national insurance contributions threshold
At a glance
- Major retailers and hospitality chains met the chancellor to discuss employment costs
- Businesses are calling for a lower national insurance contributions threshold
- The meeting focused on the impact of rising employers' national insurance contributions
- Sector leaders including executives from M&S and Sainsbury's attended the No 11 event
Leading UK retailers and hospitality firms, including Tesco, Costa Coffee, the Co-op, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's, have met Chancellor John Healey to call for a reduction in the cost of employing young people. The meeting at No 11 Downing Street on Tuesday morning brought together sector leaders to discuss the impact of rising employers' national insurance contributions.
The businesses are seeking changes to the national insurance contributions threshold in Healey's first budget, citing concerns about the effect of increased employment costs on their operations.
Why it matters
Employment costs are a significant factor in retail and hospitality sector operations, which employ large numbers of young workers across the UK.
Original reporting
- The Guardian — BusinessUK high street bosses urge chancellor to cut cost of employing young people
- The Guardian — WorldUK high street bosses urge chancellor to cut cost of employing young people
This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.