A petition has been launched to close shops on Boxing Day to allow retail workers to spend more time with their families.
Every year, thousands of people flock to their local high street to enjoy dramatically low prices in the Boxing Day sales, but according to Labour MP Helen Jones, "no one will suffer if we wait until the following day".
"Evidence shows that staff can't get home after working late on Christmas Eve, and, as they have to be back early for the sales, many people are not getting a proper Christmas break at all," she explained.
The petition, launched by Metro, is challenging the government to close shops until the 27th to allow everyone to enjoy the festivities for another day.
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Helen told the publication: "There's no need for big shops to be open on Boxing Day. Shop workers need a Christmas break like anyone else and no-one will suffer if we all wait until the following day."
However, the government responded to a previous petition, saying: "We do not believe it is for central government to tell businesses how to run their shops or how best to serve their customers. Therefore, we are not proposing to ban shops from opening on Boxing Day."
Earlier this week, Home Bargains announced it will shut on Boxing Day to give its "hard working staff some extra time off."
The retailer told its staff: "Thank you for your hard work this year. We will be closing all our stores on Boxing Day to give you the day off. We hope you enjoy the Christmas holiday."
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In a statement to its customers, Home Bargains said: "All our stores will be closed on Boxing Day this year to give our hard-working staff some extra time off. They will reopen the day after Boxing Day. Thank you for understanding."
At the time of writing, the petition has 1,545 signatures.
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