National Trust blames tax bill hikes as it cuts 550 jobs

The National Trust is set to axe 550 jobs in a bid to slash its wage bill amid increased national insurance contributions.

The conservation charity partly blamed inflated tax bill hikes introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the autumn Budget, as the cuts are set to lead to a 6 per cent reduction of its current workforce.

It said the rising costs were outstripping growth in visitors and donations.

Increases to national insurance contributions by employers and the national living wage from April have added more than £10 million to its annual wage bill, the charity said.

The job cuts are part of its plan to find £26 million worth of savings.

The charity, which has a workforce of more than 9,500 people, started a 45-day consultation period with its staff.

The National Trust said in a statement that it comes after “months of other cost-saving measures” and that it “always wants to avoid job losses.”

Steve Thomas, deputy general secretary of trade union Prospect, said the proposed cuts will bring “huge uncertainty and worry for staff”.

“We understand the cost pressures the trust is facing but management decisions, as well as external factors, have contributed to the financial situation and once again it is our members who will have to pay the price,” he said.

“Our members are custodians of the country’s cultural, historic and natural heritage – cuts of this scale risk losing institutional knowledge and skills which are vital to that mission.

“Prospect will be working with National Trust to try to minimise the negative impact of these cuts on both workers and on the operation of the trust.”

The National Trust stressed that the proposed changes will enable it to “keep on caring for and championing our shared historic and natural environment in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, long into the future”.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced a £24 billion hike to employer national insurance in her first budget last October.

However, the move led to backlash from charity shops and good causes over fears these vital services could face cuts and closures.

The National Trust was founded 130 years ago and attracts around 22.5 million visitors annually.