UK bank holidays: Full list for 2024 (2024)

FAQs

UK bank holidays: Full list for 2024? ›

How many UK bank holidays will there be in 2024? In England and Wales, you'll enjoy a total of eight bank holidays. In Scotland, tick on one more for nine.

How many UK bank holidays will there be in 2024? In England and Wales, you'll enjoy a total of eight bank holidays. In Scotland, tick on one more for nine.

There are eight bank holidays a year in England and Wales, nine in Scotland and ten in Northern Ireland. Additional days have been allocated for special events, such as royal weddings, coronations, and jubilees.

Bank holidays

Bank or public holidays do not have to be given as paid leave. An employer can choose to include bank holidays as part of a worker's statutory annual leave.

There are 50 or so countries that make up Europe and each one has its 'bank holidays' and each country has a different name for them. In the UK it is 'bank holiday' and the banks are closed on that day along with many other companies.

Nepal is the nation that celebrates the most public holidays worldwide, with 39 holidays celebrated each year. The secret behind Nepal's holiday-filled calendar lies in its religious and cultural landscape. As a predominantly Hindu and Buddhist nation, Nepal celebrates a wide array of festivals throughout the year.

The day took on less significance when England unified with Scotland in 1707 – leading to the creation of the UK – and is no longer marked as a national holiday. In recent years, though, there have been calls for workers to given a day off to celebrate the occasion.

Generally, a public holiday has become known as a bank holiday; however they are different. A public holiday is a holiday that the government considered a day off for all employees. A bank holiday is referred to days that banks are closed but is not a public holiday.

If a bank holiday falls on a day you do not normally work you are still entitled to time off but this will likely be in lieu so as not to unfairly discriminate against you.

up to 20 of their 28 days' leave entitlement if they work regular hours for the whole year. up to 28 days of their leave entitlement if they work irregular hours or for part of the year.

Who has more bank holidays, the UK or the USA? ›

In terms of Bank Holidays, YES, we get 8 (New Year's Day, January 2nd, [Scotland only], Good Friday and Easter Monday [not Sotland], May Day [first Monday in May], Spring Bank Holiday [last Monday in May], First Monday in August [Scotland], last Monday in August [England], Chistmas Day and Boxing Day [December 26th]) ...

In the UK, we've had official bank holidays since 1871, when they were formally recognised by an Act of Parliament. On these days, banks were allowed to close, which is where the name comes from. It wasn't long, however, before other types of businesses and schools began to close their doors as well.

The term “bank” holiday is used interchangeably with “public” holiday. For all practical purposes there is no difference. There is, however, an academic difference between bank holidays derived from statute and public holidays at common law (such as Christmas Day in England and Wales). advice of the relevant Minister.

In 2024 and 2025, there are a total of eight bank holidays scheduled in England and Wales, nine in Scotland and 10 in Northern Island, each with its own unique significance, traditions and special events.

Number of UK working days in 2024

2024 is a leap year, which means there are 366 days instead of the usual 365. This happens every four years. This means the number of working days ends up as: 254 working days.

Why do we have bank holidays? Bank holidays originated in the UK in 1871, when banks and financial institutions would take days off. As time went on, businesses, schools, and the government joined in, and now bank holidays are celebrated by everyone.

Monetary Policy Summary, August 2024

At its meeting ending on 31 July 2024, the MPC voted by a majority of 5–4 to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 5%. Four members preferred to maintain Bank Rate at 5.25%.