Next says prices to rise by 8% in autumn amid ‘chronic’ staff shortages

Pro-Brexit CEO says UK should reverse barriers' for overseas workers, as Ukraine war also affects forecast

The boss of Next has called on the government to make it easier for workers to come to the UK, as the retailer said staff shortages, as well as disruption from the war in Ukraine, would fuel an 8% rise in its prices this autumn.

Next said its homeware prices were now expected to rise by up to 13% and fashion by 6.5% in the second half of this year, a significant step up from an overall 3.7% increase in prices in the first part of the year.