# Don’t make life harder for Britain’s beleaguered businesses, Sainsbury’s boss warns Chancellor

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/dont-make-life-harder-for-britains-beleaguered-businesses-sainsburys-boss-warns-chancellor/
- Published: 2026-10-22T23:04:09+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:11:12+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16231627/Life-harder-Britains-businesses-Sainsburys-warns-Chancellor.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: UK, World

## Key points

- Sainsbury’s boss warns against adding new business costs.
- Employer National Insurance rose to 15 per cent.
- Business groups seek lower employment costs and more room to hire.

## Summary

Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts has urged Chancellor John Healey to avoid adding taxes or regulation to businesses in next week’s Budget, warning that firms are already under heavy pressure. Healey has promised to support profitable businesses and reduce red tape for smaller companies, but business leaders remain sceptical after the previous government raised employer National Insurance.

Roberts said the 2024 National Insurance changes added costs for retailers and hospitality businesses. The rate rose from 13.8 to 15 per cent, while the threshold for employer contributions fell from £9,100 to £5,000. Business groups have called for lower employment costs, and the British Chambers of Commerce says 71 per cent of firms are struggling to hire; City of London representatives also warn that taxing banks could limit lending to small businesses.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.