​Increasing pay costs prompt National Trust to cut workforce by 6%

The National Trust last week entered a 45-day consultation period with staff to cut 6% of its workforce and make savings of £26m.

The trust said it will need to reduce its 9,500-strong workforce by about 550 jobs in order to offset the impact of recent employers’ National Insurance increase and National Living Wage, which have added more than £10m to its annual wage bill. It is working with Prospect union to “minimise compulsory redundancies”.

“To meet our aims and create a sustainable future for the organisation in a tough financial environment, our first step must be to ensure we are financially strong and properly resourced for the future,” the National Trust said in a statement.

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“Although demand and support for our work are growing with yearly increases in visitors and donations, increasing costs are outstripping this growth.”

It added: “We know how difficult this is for our people and are incredibly grateful for their skill and professionalism. We are working hard, with the union Prospect, to make the transition as painless as possible. This follows months of other cost-saving measures. We always want to avoid job losses.

“The National Trust has existed for so long because it keeps adapting and planning for the long term.”

Worry for staff

Steve Thomas, the deputy general secretary of Prospect, said the news would cause “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 added.

“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.”

Employers’ National Insurance contributions rose from 13.8% to 15% in April, although the threshold at which businesses start paying contributions lowered to £5,000 from £9,100.

The National Living Wage also increased from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour in April – a 6.7% increase worth £1,400-a-year for full-time workers. The National Minimum Wage for 18- to 20-year-olds rose from £8.60 to £10 an hour.