Welcome to rip-off Britain!
The problem is that you are not just paying for a small piece of laser printing. You are paying for the Belgrano and all those final salary pension schemes and the rest. Oh and of course for the profit that the CAA are required to make by Gordon and co
Most employers that I have come across pay those sort of things. [What would happen if you said you could not afford it?] If you are required by your employer to incur certain costs to be employed by them, there is at least a chance that it may be tax deductible, which could help a bit. Whirlygig may have more accurate info?