Premier Inn owner blames cost pressures for 3,800 job cuts

• Whitbread, owner of Premier Inn, announced plans to cut about 3,800 jobs across the UK and Ireland.
• The job reductions are part of a new five-year strategy designed to achieve £250 million in cost savings.
• The hospitality group cited significant cost pressures from business rates and national insurance contributions as a key driver for the restructuring.
• Whitbread intends to sell £1.5 billion worth of its freehold properties and replace its 197 restaurants with an integrated food and drink model.
• The company reported a pre-tax profit of £298 million for the year to February 26, marking a 19 per cent decrease from the previous year.

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Premier Inn owner to cut 3,800 jobs in UK and Ireland under five-year plan