Bank Holiday

A Bank Holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom and also in the Republic of Ireland. Although there is no legal right to time off on these days, the majority of the population not employed in essential services (e.g. utilities, fire, ambulance, police, health-workers) receive them as holidays; those employed in essential services usually receive extra pay for working on these days. Bank holidays are so called because they are days upon which banks are (or were) shut and therefore (traditionally) no other businesses could operate. Legislation allows certain payments to be deferred to the next working day.

Related Topics:
Public holiday - United Kingdom - Republic of Ireland

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It has been noted (for example in an essay published by the Fabian Society) that the number of holidays in the UK is relatively small compared to the number in many other European countries. There have been calls for an increase in the number, and particularly for recognizing April 23 (St George's Day) in England, March 1 (St David's Day) in Wales, and November 30 (St Andrew's Day) in Scotland to have a public holiday on the feast day of the relevant patron saint. St Patrick's Day is already a bank holiday in Northern Ireland.

Related Topics:
Fabian Society - Europe - April 23 - St George's Day - England - March 1 - St David's Day - Wales - November 30 - St Andrew's Day - Scotland - Patron saint - St Patrick's Day - Northern Ireland

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