Guide Dogs UK blames cost of living crisis as it plans 160 redundancies

A spokesperson said the charity’s frontline services would not be ‘touched, reduced or limited’. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

Guide Dogs UK, the largest trainer of dogs in the country, is to make about 160 people redundant – around 9% of its workforce – to prevent an estimated £20m funding gap opening up by 2026.

The charity blamed Covid and the cost of living crisis: veterinary bills have increased by almost 20% and pet food bills by 12% since 2023, with further increases expected.