Bosses urged to keep office parties

The BBC became the highest-profile employer to "cancel Christmas" as it told staff last week it was scrapping the usual £25 per head it spends. One in five said their company was scaling back its celebrations.

A group representing leisure businesses warned that florists, caterers and entertainers could go bust. Phil Orford, of the Forum of Private Business, said the £1billion industry could lose half its seasonal trade: "Staff Christmas parties are about appreciation of workers."