New research based on the most recent ONS figures has found how many people will be working on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in cities around the country this year.

Over 4 million people nationwide will be at work and away from their families on either the 25^th or 26^th.

Aside from the clergy, social care workers, midwives, nurses and police are the most likely to be working on Christmas Day and retail, restaurant and hotel workers most likely to be working on Boxing Day.

This year many workers have faced changes to their terms and conditions as employers have cut costs to counteract the increase in the National Living Wage. Many of the changes included cuts to bank holiday pay – including Boxing Day.

Many people working in the emerging gig economy, who often have no paid holiday at all, will either have to work over Christmas and Boxing Day or go unpaid.

Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson MP said: 

“At a time when most of us are preparing to spend time with family and friends at Christmas we should take a moment to think about the millions who have to work over the festive period in a huge number of sectors, including hospitality, retail and the distribution and haulage industries to name just a few.

“As a country we have endured a very tough few years economically and many are facing an increasingly uncertain environment in the workplace.  For them, working over the holidays is a necessity not a choice.”