Cost-of-Living Increases Continue to Put Pressure on Contractors

In a week when news of inflation levels again grabbed the headlines, the financial pressures faced by contractors came back into focus.

As an organisation that supports contractors and liaises with them daily, we are all too aware of how the slightest fluctuations in prices can have a significant impact on contractor finances.

Unexpected Rise in Inflation

This week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that UK inflation rose to 3.8%. The unexpected rise saw inflation climb to its highest level since January 2024, mainly due to a rise in air fares.

Additionally, figures confirmed that food prices had increased for the fourth month in a row. The food and drink inflation figure rose to 4.9% in the year to July 2025, and, significantly, food and non-alcoholic prices were shown to have risen by a staggering 37% over the last five years. (ONS)

Price Rises Hit Contractors Hard

For contractors, income is rarely consistent for any length of time, so managing finances and planning for leaner times is essential.

Whether it's shift fluctuations, a lack of guaranteed hours, or a lack of visibility of how long an assignment will last, contractors always have a sharpened sense when it comes to financial planning.

However, price fluctuations and rises in inflation are largely beyond their powers of foresight, meaning that increases often hit hard.

Champion Rewards Provide Welcome Relief to Contractors

Champion Rewards, our online benefits portal, is a suite of benefits hand-picked to provide help and support to Champion contractors with a variety of financial and well-being initiatives.

Champion Rewards include:

• Online shopping discounts and cashback for over 2000 retail brands, offering significant savings.
• Discounts at restaurants, including Pizza Express, Zizzi, and Miller & Carter.
• In-store shopping vouchers and discount cards.
• Reloadable store cards with cashback rewards.
• Discounted ticket prices for cinema visits to Cineworld, Vue, and Odeon.
• Free eye tests with Optical Express at any of the 80+ Optical Express clinics across the UK.

All of which helps our contractors make hundreds of pounds worth of savings on everyday expenses, a vital source of help when financial pressures increase.

Compliant, Accredited, and Providing Unrivalled Support to Contractors

As an FCSA-accredited and SafeRec-certified umbrella company, Champion is a compliant, no-risk option for agencies that also provides essential support to your contractors when it's most needed.

If you have any questions or want to discuss how Champion can support you and your contractors, please get in touch with our team on 0161 703 2549 or email info@championcontractors.co.uk.