The increase in employer National Insurance Contributions is expected to substantially raise wage costs, particularly affecting workforce-intensive sectors like contract catering. For SMEs, already contending with rising costs, this could further squeeze profitability, limiting investment in sustainability, technology, staff development or just be able to bid for opportunities.

Neller Davies director Julian Fris contributed the catering consultant’s view on how the foodservice and hospitality sectors are addressing these challenges in this article for Facilities Management Journal:

Navigating rising cost challenges in the foodservice and hospitality sectors