The Chancellor had originally planned to arrive back from the trip on Saturday. However, he will now fly back on Thursday.

       Earlier on Thursday, an official said Sunak was due to discuss possible new support measures for businesses hardest hit by the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

       The Chancellor has faced accusations that he has been missing in action in recent days, as Covid infections rise to new records.

       Labour urged Mr Sunak - who has been in California - to "leave Hollywood and come back to reality".

       Pat McFadden, the Shadow Treasury Minister, told MPs today: "Why did he decide to proceed with a trip to California on Tuesday when it was already clear that UK businesses were struggling to cope with what the Prime Minister himself has called a 'tidal wave' of Omicron?

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       "Even if he is abroad, California is not exactly a communications desert. They have television there. I've even heard that they have the internet.

       "But still, radio silence from the Chancellor."

       The hospitality industry is currently reeling from a wave of pre-Christmas cancellations as Covid cases rise to record levels.

       The Treasury has now confirmed that Mr Sunak would return sooner than anticipated.

       He and his team held talks with a range of hospitality and business organisations on Thursday.

       Speaking in the House of Commons today, Mr McFadden noted the advice of the Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty to prioritise social events that “really matter to them” over Christmas.

       He called on the Government to support businesses in the hospitality industry that would be suffering because of the Government's warnings about socialising, adding: "This is not a time to abandon businesses."

       The sector has been calling for further support as Plan B measures take a toll on bars, restaurants and other venues.

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       UKHospitality boss Kate Nicholls made a plea for business rates relief and VAT discounts to be extended.

       Ms Nicholls said: "Christmas trade is always crucial for the hospitality industry, making up as much as a quarter of the year's profit for many businesses.

       "Last year, Christmas was cancelled and so much rested on this December period for businesses already staggering under a burden of debt incurred from the pandemic and facing rising costs across the board.

       "If operators are unable to trade profitably over the next month, many will simply not survive - and those that do make it through face a return to 20 percent VAT in April.

       "The Government must step in now and provide measures that support the businesses and jobs in the sector - by committing to keeping VAT at 12.5 percent, suspending business rates payments for the first quarter of 2022 and reinstating recovery grants."

       Nick Mackenzie, chief executive of pub chain Greene King, said that their takings in some London pubs were down as much as 70 percent compared with the same week in 2019.

       He added: "The guidance from Government to limit social interactions and shift to working from home has put our industry into lockdown in everything but name."

       Patrick Dardis, chief executive of the Young's pub group, said: "I have no idea where Rishi Sunak is right now but he needs to show up and give the industry his backing."

       Mr Sunak said in a statement: "This Government has done whatever it takes at every stage to support lives and livelihoods throughout this pandemic - and of course we will continue to do so.

       "We understand that this is a concerning time for businesses.

       "Myself and my wider team met with business representatives earlier today, listened to their concerns and will continue to work with industry leaders over the coming days.

       "To keep safeguarding our economic recovery and the lives and livelihoods of the British people our priority is now to make sure everyone has the opportunity to get boosted now."

       Today, for a second day running, the daily recorded number of coronavirus cases reached a new record, with 88,376 infections confirmed.