The British seasonnaire – a fixture of the European holiday scene from the mountains to the seas – is under threat. And it’s more than just a tragedy for perky young Brits looking to combine a lengthy holiday with a bit of paid work. It’s battering British firms which used to rely on UK staff to provide a home away from home for their guests.

Only 3,700 people from the UK are being employed in the EU to do jobs such as chalet hosts, holiday reps and tour guides, new figures show.

Only 3,700 people from the UK are being employed in the EU to do jobs such as chalet hosts, holiday reps and tour guides, new figures show.