Union bosses say employers should give workers time off to see England play Germany in the Euros - as pub bosses say Covid rules mean they will sell 1m fewer pints to fans watching the Wembley clash

Trade unions have urged bosses to let workers finish early so they can watch England take on Germany on Tuesday.

The Trade Union Congress says employers should talk to their staff and make arrangements for the 5pm kick-off.

Millions are expected to head to pubs across the country for the game but industry experts predict that pint sales will still be hampered by Covid restrictions. 

The TUC says flexible working has many benefits for companies such as cutting down on absenteeism and raising productivity.

It added that the rise in home working will mean many employees will already be at home.

Companies could also arrange for the Euros game to be shown somewhere on the premises where appropriate, the TUC has suggested.

The TUC has urged bosses to be flexible and let fans leave work early to watch England take on Germany at 5pm on Tuesday as the Euros enter the knock out stage of the tournament

Other suggestions include companies allowing staff to start or finish work early or late to allow them to work round the game. 

TUC General Secretary, and England and Arsenal supporter, Frances O'Grady said: 'Millions of workers around the UK will want to cheer on their national teams in Euro 2020 – especially after the tournament was postponed last year.

'Bosses should talk to their staff and try and let people who want to watch the games do so, either at work or at home – and then claim back their time afterwards.

'Whether it's about major sporting events like Euro 2020, attending a medical appointment or picking up the kids from school, allowing people more flexibility in how and when they do their work makes them happier. It cuts absenteeism and raises productivity.'

The Three Lions are set to take on Germany at Wembley as the Euros reaches the knock-out stages of the tournament. 

It is estimated that 22 million people will be tuning in to watch the game in homes and pubs across the country and fans are expected to buy more than five million pints during the clash.

More than 22 million people are expected to watch the game in pubs and in homes on Tuesday

The British Beer and Pub Association hopes eight million pints will be sold on Tuesday, with 5.25 million of those served during the last 16 fixture between the Three Lions and Germany.

The ongoing limitations mean beer sales will be 1.3 million pints lower during England's match than if it was shown in pubs without restrictions, the BBPA estimates.

The trade body claimed this would result in more than £5 million revenue lost to pubs in England during the game.

It said some of its members had reported beer sales were lower than hoped for during the Euro 2020 tournament so far.

According to a BBPA survey of 1,000 pub-goers at the end of May, 85 per cent of pub-visiting football fans believe current Covid-19 restrictions will negatively impact their experience of watching Euro 2020 at pubs this summer.

Half said they would be more likely to watch games at a pub if all restrictions were lifted.

The British Beer and Pub Association estimated that Covid restrictions will mean 1.3 million fewer pint sales than there would have been without them during the game on Tuesday night

Emma McClarkin, BBPA chief executive, said: 'No matter the occasion, England versus Germany is always a big match.'

She added: 'We know many pubs haven't experienced the boost to their trade which they'd hoped for from the Euros.

'No standing and limits on group sizes, as well as social distancing, are severely reducing the number of people who can enjoy the Euros at the pub.

'With that said, there is still no better place to watch live sport on the telly than at the pub.

'I implore Three Lions fans to support England and the pub by cheering on the Three Lions at their local.

'To secure our pubs for future tournaments and national occasions like the Euros, there can be no further delays to the lifting of restrictions.

'On July 19 all restrictions on pubs must be lifted. We are counting down the days to freedom for our pubs.'