Latest statistics showing changes in UK productivity and comparisons of UK productivity with other G7 countries.
Documents to download
-
Bank and public holidays (811 KB, PDF)
This note sets out:
- the background to bank and public holidays
- their basis in law
- rights to time off on bank/public holidays
- proposals for additional bank holidays
Bank holidays are set by statute; other public holidays such as Good Friday and Christmas Day are holidays by convention, often termed common law or public holidays. The terms are commonly used interchangeably, with “bank holidays” generally understood to refer to bank holidays set out in statute, royally proclaimed holidays and common law public holidays.
The legislation defining bank holidays concerns financial dealings; it does not provide rights to annual leave. A worker’s right, or lack thereof, to annual leave on these days derives from his contract. The 5.6 week statutory holiday entitlement is inclusive of bank holidays. Absent any contractual term to the contrary, an employer may require a worker to attend work on a bank holiday.
The bank and public holidays
There are eight holidays in England and Wales, nine in Scotland and ten in Northern Ireland.
England and Wales
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- First Monday in May
- Last Monday in May
- Last Monday in August
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Scotland
- New Year’s Day
- 2 January
- Good Friday
- First Monday in May
- Last Monday in May
- First Monday in August
- St Andrew’s Day (30 November)
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Northern Ireland
- New Year’s Day
- St Patrick’s Day (17 March)
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- First Monday in May
- Last Monday in May
- Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day, 12 July)
- Last Monday in August
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Documents to download
-
Bank and public holidays (811 KB, PDF)
Related posts
-
-
The National Minimum Wage Bill 2019-21 was introduced by Paula Barker MP following the Private Members' Bills Ballot on 9 January 2020. First reading took place on 5 February 2020. The Bill's second reading was due to take place on 15 January 2021, but was cancelled following an Order of the House on 13 January 2021. We do not have a date for the rearranged Second Reading.
-
Unemployment: International Comparisons: Data on harmonised unemployment rates for major international economies.