By United Workers Alliance (UWA)
Food inflation has surged to its highest level in nearly a year, driven in part by a £25 billion rise in employer national insurance costs — and once again, it’s ordinary workers who are feeling the pain.
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and NielsenIQ, grocery prices rose by 2.6% in the 12 months to April — the sharpest annual increase seen in 11 months. Everyday essentials such as bread, meat, and fish have become even more expensive, just as working people are already battling stagnant wages and rising bills.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, warned:
“The days of shop price deflation look numbered. Retailers are facing a mountain of new employment costs from higher national insurance contributions and increased minimum wages.”
But what’s really behind this latest blow to workers’ wallets?
Large employers are quick to blame increased taxes and minimum wage rises for the price hikes. Yet, analysts point out that the national insurance rise represents less than 1% of GDP — hardly the overwhelming burden big business makes it out to be.
Instead, what we’re seeing is yet another case of companies passing costs down to workers and customers — all while many continue to post healthy profits.
Workers Pay the Price — Again
While the minimum wage rise was a small and long-overdue boost for many, its benefit is being swallowed up by the skyrocketing cost of basic goods. In real terms, many low-paid workers are worse off now than they were last year.
And once again, we hear the same tired arguments from corporate lobbyists: that small improvements to workers’ conditions — a fair wage, some basic protections — will somehow “harm businesses.”
The reality? It’s workers who are hurting.
It’s workers who are being told to tighten their belts — not the corporations who continue to rake in profits.
At UWA, we believe enough is enough.
We fight every day for decent wages, secure conditions, and respect for working people.
Feeling the pinch at work? Been told rising prices mean no raise or worse conditions?
Get in touch.
We offer advice, support, and legal representation — because no one should be left struggling while corporations cash in. Join Today: joihttp://unitedworkersalliance.co.uk/join-us/