Over half of small business owners will be forgoing the festivities this year as they battle to stay afloat during the cost-of-living crisis.

New research from ANNA Money reveals that almost 60% of SME owners expect to be working on Christmas Day.

Of the 1,300 owners surveyed, over 55% confirmed they would be checking emails, and a little over 30% said they would be engaging in general business admin.

Beyond the typical tasks, owners listed various responsibilities they will be carrying out on 25 December, including caring for livestock, responding to medical emergencies, and even servicing wind turbines.

Research also found that 45% of SME owners plan to only take three days off during the festive period, nearly three quarters attribute this reduced time off to the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis.

As of the beginning of 2023, the Federation of Small Businesses reported 5.5m small businesses, accounting for 99.9% of the business population in the UK.

SMEs contribute 61% of the nation’s total employment, with an estimated £2.4 trillion in turnover.

Will you be working Christmas Day?