British Life & Culture
Calendar of Special Events & Celebrations
by Mandy Barrow
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British Bank Holidays
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Bank holiday dates 2010 - 2012 The 1971 Act - four holidays | Bank Holidays today Are shops open on bank holidays? Do workers automatically get a day off on Bank Holidays? What happens when bank holidays fall on a weekend? British bank holidays are public holidays and have been recognised since 1871. Why are they called Bank holidays? The name Bank Holiday comes from the time when banks were shut and so no trading could take place. There is currently a total of 8 permanent bank and public holidays in England, Wales and Scotland and 10 in Northern Ireland. These include Christmas Day and Good Friday, which in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are common law' holidays (they are not specified by law as bank holidays but have become customary holidays because of common observance). Follow this link to see a list of bank holidays today in each country in the UK The 1871 Act designated four holidays in England, Wales and Ireland (then wholly part of the UK), and five in Scotland. England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Scotland
1903 St Patrick's Day (17 March) became a bank holiday for Ireland only. 1971 The last Monday in August was formally made a bank holiday in place of the first Monday in August in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 1973 Are shops open on bank holidays? Even though banks are still closed on these days many shops today now remain open. Shops, museums and other public attractions, such as historic houses and sports centres, may close on certain public holidays, particularly Christmas Day. Majority of shops and attractions are closed on Christmas Day Traditionally many businesses close on Bank Holidays to enable the workers to have a holiday. This time is often spent with the family on mini breaks and outings. Because of this, anyone who works on Bank Holidays usually gets paid extra - "time-and-a-half" or even "double time," negotiated for them by the Trades Unions. See shops opening times on a bank holiday Do workers automatically get a day off on Bank Holidays? Workers do not have a statutory right to paid leave on bank and public holidays. If paid leave is given on a bank or public holiday, this may count towards the statutory requirement for 24 days holiday. What happens when bank holidays fall on a weekend? There are holidays in lieu of those public holidays which fall at weekends. Special Days and Festivals in England (with dates). Find out how the British celebrate traditional and religious holidays.
Bank Holidays in England and Wales Follow this link for Bank holiday dates 2010 - 2012 In England and Wales there are six bank holidays and two common law holidays.
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