Halfords warns it may raise repair garage prices after £23m cost hit from Budget

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Retailer Halfords has signalled it may look to raise repair garage prices as it warned that Budget measures will send its wage bill soaring by around £23 million. We anticipate being able to pass through wage inflation more easily in the Autocentres business, where a greater proportion of revenue relates to services Halfords It said it may “pass through” the higher wage costs to customers across its Autocentres arm. Graham Stapleton, chief executive of Halfords, said: “The cost implications from the recent UK Budget are particularly acute for a specialist retailer that provides expert advice and assistance to customers, face to face. “While we will work hard to mitigate these costs, we urge the Government to consider alternative ways of supporting businesses like ours, including the acceleration of Apprenticeship Levy reform, which would help us to upskill existing colleagues and offset some of the new headwinds.” The group stuck with its full-year guidance, but cautioned over an “uncertain” trading outlook after the Budget, while it said it would also face extra costs over the second half for shipping and temporary garage closures as it upgrades sites to roll out its new Fusion Motoring Services concept.