Half of employers could raise prices if cost of hiring goes up in Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver the Budget later this month (Justin Tallis/PA) - (PA Wire)

Britons might need to be poised for fewer jobs or higher prices once more next year, after a new survey of business owners suggested almost half of them (49 per cent) would be considering hiking them if employment costs are raised again in the Budget.

Most firms have been hit at least once this year and several of them from multiple angles, following changes to the minimum wage, National Insurance contributions, rules around packaging costs, the end of business rates relief for some industries and the prospect of lower overseas sales due to tariffs.