
A third of small businesses are planning to axe jobs amid worries over soaring staff costs, while new employment rights are also set to see firms rein in hiring and trim their workforces, according to new figures.
A poll of nearly 1,400 firms by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in the final quarter of last year revealed that 33% expect to reduce their workforces, up from 17% in the previous three months.