Bank holidays for most of us mean a day off work but why do we have them and when is the next one?

What is a bank holiday?

A Liberal MP, John Lubbock, tabled the Bank Holiday Act of 1871 because he wanted to ease pressure on workers by giving them four extra days.

In 1971 however, the act was replaced meaning there are now six permanent bank holidays and two public holidays, which are Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Prior to 1834 the Bank of England observed 33 saints days or religious festivals and took them as holiday.

When are the bank holidays this year?

  • New Year's Day - January 1
  • Good Friday - March 30
  • Easter Monday - April 2
  • Early May Bank Holiday - May 7
  • Spring Bank Holiday - May 28
  • Summer Bank Holiday - August 27
  • Christmas Day - December 25
  • Boxing Day - December 26

Therefore our next long weekend will be early May bank holiday on May 7 and hopefully the weather will hold out for us.

What are my rights when it comes to working on a bank holiday?

The Citizens Advice Bureau says it is up to your employer to decide whether or not you have to work on bank holidays.

If your place of work is closed on bank holidays, your employer can make you take them as part of your annual leave entitlement.

Some employers might give you bank holidays off and pay you for them on top of your annual leave entitlement. This will be outlined in your contract."

What else do I need to know?

Currently England, Scotland and Wales get eight public holidays a year, whereas Northern Ireland gets 10.

We will not get a day off work for the upcoming wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

England does not get a bank holiday on the feast day of its patron saint, St George, which is on April 23.