Conservative response to Sainsbury's axing 3,000 jobs

Andrew Griffith MP, Shadow Business Secretary, said:

"This news from one of Britain's biggest retailers is devastating but no surprise. Thanks to Labour's budget 3,000 jobs will be lost and 3,000 families will suffer without the security of regular pay.

Labour need to urgently undo their ‘jobs tax', their family business death tax and their trade union inspired, jobs killing, Employment Bill.

"Under new leadership the Conservatives will ensure that business is at the heart of our plan for the economy, because we know only the private sector creates growth and jobs.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Sainsbury's to cut over 3,000 jobs as budget tax hikes loom (Sky News, News story, 23/01/2025, link)

In November, Sainsbury's CEO Simon Roberts warned that they would have to make ‘difficult decisions' on prices and jobs as a result of Labour's £40 billion tax hikes. ‘We will do everything we can to mitigate the impact. But given the margins of the industry – this is a 3% margin industry – there just isn't the capacity to absorb this level of unexpected cost inflation that is coming at us as fast as it is' (The Grocer, 7 November 2024, link).