London workers leave 31m days of paid holiday unused each year, study suggests

Workers in London could be leaving around 31 million days of paid holidays unused every year, according to new research.

Employees in the capital ended their last working year with an average of 7.2 days of paid leave still in their calendars, putting London joint-third across the UK.

Truro in Cornwall came in first place, as workers averaged 7.8 unused days, while Newcastle upon Tyne followed in second place with 7.5 unused days. London was level with Cambridge and Belfast on 7.2 days.

Applying the London average to the capital’s 4.3 million pay-rolled employees would give a rough estimate of around a 31 million unused paid holiday days a year.

Dr Reem Hasan, Chief Medical Officer at Vista Health and and NHS GP, said: “Summer is often associated with rest and relaxation, but for many people it brings a very different reality.

“School holidays, juggling childcare, caring responsibilities, travel, financial pressures and covering for colleagues can all make it harder to prioritise our own health and wellbeing.

“One thing remains true throughout the seasons; your health should never be put on hold. Symptoms do not wait until life becomes less busy.

“Listening to your body, seeking advice when something does not feel right and making prevention part of everyday life are some of the most important investments you can make in your future health.”

The findings come against the backdrop of one of the country’s largest labour markets, with London supporting around 6.4 million jobs, while its £618 billion economy accounts for 22.7% of UK GDP, according to City Hall, underlining the scale of working life in the capital.

Yet the Vista Health research suggests many workers are finding it difficult to step away from their jobs even when they have leave available or are feeling unwell.

We’ve stopped believing in our funny little island — and it’s holding us back

Inside the wild west of recruitment: Inadequate vetting, AI and the 'race to place'

One dead and hundreds ill in salmonella outbreak as London suffers highest cases

Nearly a quarter of those in the UK who had unused annual leave said they had simply been too busy at work to take it (23%), while almost one in five (18%) had nobody available to cover them. Another 14% also said they worried about work piling up and didn't dare take a day off.