"The chief executive of BT has said telecoms operators in the UK pay as much as 10 times the amount in government-inflicted costs than those operating in comparable European countries. Allison Kirkby said the industry had already hit the peak it could handle in costs imposed by the government, and warned that the November budget could be very difficult for the chancellor, Rachel Reeves."
"BT has previously said that last year's budget, which increased employers' national insurance contributions and raised the minimum wage, added 100m to costs. In 2023, BT revealed that it was hoping to slim down its 130,000 global workforce to between 75,000 and 90,000 workers by 2030 as it aimed to shave billions of pounds in costs. BT employs about 80,000 staff in the UK."
Telecoms operators in the UK pay up to ten times more in government-imposed costs than peers in Germany and the Netherlands, driven by business rates, energy levies and regulatory compliance charges. The industry has reached its limit for absorbing additional government-inflicted costs, increasing vulnerability to further tax rises. A looming November budget faces pressure from a potential £20bn fiscal shortfall. Recent measures such as higher employers' national insurance contributions and a raised minimum wage added approximately £100m in costs to BT. BT plans major investment of around £15bn in 5G and full-fibre networks while restructuring its global workforce to reduce expenses.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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