The big four consulting and accounting giant, which has over 20,000 UK employees, will close its main London office from 23 December to 3 January, as well as some smaller sites, the BBC reports.

Chairman Kevin Ellis said that although “office life is hugely important to our culture and business,” keeping the firm’s offices open “doesn’t make sense at a time of energy scarcity” and that staff wanted to “do our bit to reduce energy consumption”.

Mr Ellis added: “We’ve taken a pragmatic approach ensuring some offices across the country remain open for those who need them.”

The firm’s regional offices, including Edinburgh, Belfast and Newcastle, would follow suite with a “similar approach” to the main London office.