Five million workers to take a fortnight off for Christmas because there's not enough business or money to justify keeping them on: UK

The Centre for Economics and Business Research expects one in six workers, some five million people, to enjoy an extended holiday from today until Jan 3.

Thousands of businesses will stay closed because their customers have so little money to spend in the downturn they fear they will not make enough to justify opening their doors, it said.

Local authority workers will enjoy breaks of up to 12 days with councils throughout the country shutting down from tomorrow.

Douglas McWilliams, the centre’s chief executive, said employees were taking extended breaks because they knew that there was no work for them in the office.

The move will lead to the effective shutdown of thousands of businesses. Mr McWilliams said: “People are thinking 'If I can’t make money I might as well take the time off’. I would be amazed if the number of people taking long holidays is not over five million.” Read More