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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Sarah Butler

Budget tax changes will push up price of fresh food, says Sainsbury’s boss

Vegetables on sale in a Sainsbury's store
Sainsbury’s still plans to open more stores but will have to be ‘very thoughtful about where we hire’ because of the higher costs. Photograph: Maureen McLean/Rex/Shutterstock

Changes to employers’ national insurance contributions announced in the government’s October budget will drive inflation, particularly on fresh food, according to the boss of Sainsbury’s as he announced a 5% pay rise for workers.

“It is coming at us fast in a way that was unexpected and will bring inflation as a result,” Simon Roberts, the chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said of the changes to NICs, which will add £140m to its wage bill from April.

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