Labour has backed a call to postpone the January sales by a day to give retail workers an extra day off on Boxing Day.

A petition align for a ban on shops opening on the day after Christmas reached well over 100,000 signatures and will be debated by MPs as per parliamentary rules.

The petition states that Christmas is “a family time” and that it was unfair that retail workers only got one day off at Christmas after working hard into the run-up to the festive period.

The Government said in a response to the petition that it does “not believe it is for central government to tell businesses how to run their shops or how best to serve their customers”.

Labour’s shadow business minister Bill Esterton however said major retailers should give staff the day off unless they specifically volunteered to work.

“Labour supports our 2.7 million retail workers, their families and those retailers who want to act responsibly without the increasing pressure to bring their staff in for ever-longer hours over the Christmas period,” he said.

“Those stores that do not open on Boxing Day - John Lewis, Aldi and Lidl to name a few - saw sales increases last Christmas whilst giving their staff an extra day off. The Conservative government should respect the 92 per cent of retail workers who want an extra day to enjoy Christmas with their families.

“Having put in extraordinarily long hours in the run-up to Christmas, they will get just one day to spend with their loved ones. Surely, for their sake, we can all wait one more day for the sales?”

Ten best Boxing Day walks Show all 10 1 /10 Ten best Boxing Day walks Ten best Boxing Day walks ALAMY Ten best Boxing Day walks Undercliff Walk to Rottingdean & Saltdean: A refreshing ramble, fully accessible by wheelchair, along the Brighton coastline. The route begins at the Volk's Electric Railway at Paston Place, Brighton, and takes you along the cliffs, following the course of the famous daddy longlegs railway. Perfect for a windy winter day when the waves come crashing in against the cliffs. Length: 6 miles. www.disabledramblers.co.uk ALAMY Ten best Boxing Day walks Four Churches Walk: A gentle walk across the fields and lanes of four traditional mining villages in Derbyshire. The route begins at St James' Church, Brassington, and meanders past three further charming but contrasting Norman churches at Ballidon, Parwich and Bradbourne. The walk then crosses a brook and winds through farmland before returning to Brassington. Length: 9 miles. Adapted from Ramblers Best Walks Britain. www.ramblers.org.uk ALAMY Ten best Boxing Day walks The 'Pudding Buster': A strenuous Boxing Day jaunt in the spectacular Brecon Beacons National Park. Undo the 'Christmas excess' with this classic circular mountain walk from the Neuadd Reservoir to Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales. The views from the summit are spectacular. Length: 8 miles. www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks ALAMY Ten best Boxing Day walks Sherwood Forest: Follow this ancient forest's well-drained footpaths to the heart of the Robin Hood country, passing Archway House and theMajor Oak, where the Merry Men reputedly sheltered. Length: 6 miles. www.visitnottingham.com ALAMY Ten best Boxing Day walks :Lee Valley Water: Starting from Lea Valley farm this walk leads you into the stunning Lea Valley Park. You then head west through the valley past ornamental lakes before joining the New River. From there, the route follows a heritage trail along the river bank. Pause at Broxbourne before heading back along the river. Length: 9 miles. www.leevalleypark.org.uk ALAMY Ten best Boxing Day walks Bolton Ramble: This varied woodland walk takes you past Smithills Hall, one of the oldest manor houses in the north-west of England, and then on through the picturesque village of Barrow Bridge. There you can still see the famous '63 steps' once taken by workers on their way to the mill. Follow the bridleway and you end up where you started. Length: 4 miles. www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks ALAMY Ten best Boxing Day walks Hendon Manor: Follow the boundary of the Saxon Manor of Hendon as you trace the route of the Roman road from St Albans to London. The walk takes in the charming parish church at Hendon, then winds through Sunny Hill Park and Mill Hill village and on to the Dollis Valley Green Walk. You finish at Golders Green station. Length: 15 miles. www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks Ten best Boxing Day walks Croft Ambrey: This mid-length stroll takes you from Croft Castle, one of Herefordshire’s finest country houses, to the Iron Age Hill Fort, Croft Ambrey, where it is claimed you can see 14 counties. You then cross Bircher Common, known for its buzzards and kestrels, finishing in Fish Pool Valley. Length: 6.5 miles. www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks ALAMY Ten best Boxing Day walks Nant Fawr: This easy stroll starts in Roath Park, Cardiff, and then explores the river corridor of Nant Fawr, passing through woods and meadows. The walk skirts Llanishen and Lisvane reservoirs, Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Length: 6 miles. www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks ALAMY

Large shops are prohibited from opening on Christmas Day but not on Boxing Day.

The Office for National Statistics estimates that 365,000 people in the retail sector alone worked on Boxing Day.