Local authority leaders in London have thanked the 22,000 care workers who will be working on Christmas Day this year.

Around 216,000 people work in adult social care in London and it is expected that at least 22,000 will be working on Christmas Day itself.

London Councils, which represents London’s 32 boroughs and the City of London, has thanked what it called the ‘festive force’ of care workers.

‘On behalf of all the boroughs, I’d like to thank the thousands of council care workers who will be supporting Londoners on Christmas Day,’ said Cllr Raymond Puddifoot, London Councils’ Executive Member for Health & Care.

‘They are a festive force for good, making a crucial difference to the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable members of our community.'

‘But we can all do our bit to check on those at risk of social isolation over the festive period. Even a simple gesture like popping round to visit a neighbour can have an impact,' he added.