UK workers deserve more public holidays each year, says TUC

As UK workers prepare for a 4-day weekend, starting with public holidays on Thursday and Friday, the TUC is calling on the government to increase the stingy number of public holidays in the UK compared to other nations.

England and Wales usually get 8 annual bank holidays, while Scotland and Northern Ireland typically get either 9 or 10 depending on the timing of New Year and their patron saint days.

This year the whole of the UK is getting an additional bank holiday on top of the usual number to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. But it will be back to the usual number next year.

By contrast, the average number of public holidays for EU nations is 12.8 days each year. Beyond the EU, countries like Japan, Australia, USA and China give their workers several more public holidays than the UK too.

The TUC is calling for a minimum of 4 additional annual bank holidays, so that UK workers get a similar number to other workers around the world.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“It’s not fair on UK works to get so few public holidays. They work just as hard as people in other nations who get a lot more.

“The government should put this right by increasing our bank holidays to at least 12 a year.

“It’s time for a national conversation – when should our new holidays be? What might they celebrate?”

On legal protections for paid holidays, Frances added:

“New bank holidays must be accounted for with an increase to the paid leave that workers are legally entitled to. Otherwise, some workers will miss out. And the government must toughen up enforcement to stop bosses cheating working people out of their holidays.”