Christmas parties being axed by ‘half of businesses’ as Rachel Reeves blamed for draining company coffers
CHRISTMAS parties are being axed by nearly half of businesses — with the Tories blaming Chancellor Rachel Reeves for draining company coffers.
New research reveals almost one in two firms won’t be holding a party.
And one in four workers will have to cough up their own cash if their employer does throw a bash.
The study of more than 650 employers by jobs site CV-Library also found one in four respondents said any celebrations will be more low-key than last year.
CV-Library chief Lee Biggins said: “With tighter budgets, more remote working, and staff enthusiasm on the wane, it seems some companies are rethinking the traditional end-of-year bash.
“With workforces much more disparate these days, I think there has never been a greater need to bring everyone together, in-person, to celebrate a year’s hard work.
“Covid taught us that while remote working has its upsides, some things are better in person.
“Christmas parties just aren’t the same over Teams.”
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith slammed the Chancellor as the “Labour grinch” who “stole Christmas”.
He added: “Workers across the country are paying the price with Christmas parties cancelled after budget tax rises means the business cupboard is bare.”