With the changing of the clocks this weekend came another landmark moment in the year: Sunday the 25th October kicked off the two month countdown to Christmas.

Since 2020 has been such a bizarre year, though, with the coronavirus pandemic having disrupted everything from our working lives to our social calendars, it’s only natural to feel a little caught out by the sudden sound of jingle bells.

Even at the best of times, Christmas can cause more than its fair share of concerns, particularly when it comes to the strain the festive period inevitably puts on our pockets. And, with Covid-19 having already put countless people across the country in an uncertain financial position, this year those concerns are likely to be bigger than ever.

According to management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, around 7.6 million jobs were put at risk as a direct result of the coronavirus crisis and the restrictions that have been imposed to stem its tide. This means that a huge 24% of the UK workforce were affected by “permanent layoffs, temporary furloughs, and reductions in hours and pay”.

Worried about money in the lead up to Christmas? These tips might help your savings