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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Does Scotland get more bank holidays than England? Exact number Scots can expect each year
The Lioness' victory in the Euros final over the week has prompted calls for a Bank Holiday down south Over the weekend, the England women's national football team defeated Spain on penalties in the Euros final in Switzerland, prompting calls for the country to be given a Bank Holiday to celebrate the Lioness' success. There was no Bank Holiday in place in 2022 when England's women lifted the Euros trophy for the first time, but Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was the Leader of the Opposition at the time, backed calls for an extra day off. However, in an apparent change of heart, the Prime Minister's spokesman has confirmed to the BBC that there are "no plans" for an extra Bank Holiday this Monday, July 28. But speaking of Bank Holidays - does Scotland get more bank holidays than England? And what are the exact number of Bank Holidays Scots can expect each year? Scotland has nine Bank Holidays in 2025, whereas England and Wales have eight. Scots enjoy one more Bank Holiday because of St Andrew's Day on Sunday, November 30, which gives us the day off on Monday, December 1. Northern Ireland comes up trumps, though, with 10 bankers this year. This is because, unlike Scotland, the north mark St Patrick's Day on March 17, Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) on July 14, and Easter Monday on April 21. England and Wales also have Easter Monday as a bank holiday, whereas Scotland doesn't. The day is not a nationwide Bank Holiday in Scotland. Instead, it's up to individual councils to decide whether to recognise it as a public holiday, often based on local tradition or custom. We do list Good Friday as a Bank Holiday, though. This trend will continue into 2026, with Scotland, England and Wales, and Northern Ireland keeping the same number of Bank Holidays. However, there will be a change in Bank Holiday dates in 2026 and 2027. Three 'substitute days' are being planned. While 2025 will have eight Bank Holidays, these won't all occur on the same dates in the next two years. In 2026, most of the dates will largely stay the same. Across the UK, we'll enjoy time off on January 1, followed by an extended Easter weekend with a day off on April 3 for Good Friday. England and Wales will have April 6 off for Easter Monday but this date does not apply to Scotland. Nationwide days off will also happen on May 4, May 25, August 3 (August 31 for England and Wales) and December 25. Scotland will squeeze in another Bank Holiday between these dates - November 30 for St Andrew's Day. However, Boxing Day, December 26, won't be recognised as a Bank Holiday next year as it falls on a Saturday. Instead, an additional substitute day off will be allocated on December 28. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. In general, Bank Holidays in Scotland differ from local or public holidays, which are set by individual councils and can vary from place to place. Bank Holidays, on the other hand, are set at a national level – though not everyone is guaranteed the day off. There's also no legal requirement for businesses or banks to close on a Bank Holiday. In fact, banks in Scotland typically follow the same holiday schedule as those in England and Wales. If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, it's usually moved to a substitute weekday, typically the following Monday – to ensure people don't miss out.
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Next bank holiday date with six more to come in 2025
There will be six more bank holidays between now and the end of 2025, but it all depends on where in the UK you are We may be more than halfway through 2025, but there are still eight bank holidays to come across the UK between now and the end of that year, although the specific dates vary between the different nations. The most recent bank holiday fell on Monday, May 26, the Spring bank holiday. This was a national holiday for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, sometimes individual UK nations have bank holidays on different days. This was the case at Easter, when England, Wales and Northern Ireland enjoyed two bank holidays on Good Friday, April 18, and Easter Monday, April 21. In Scotland, though, only Good Friday was recognised as a bank holiday. Northern Ireland will have its next bank holiday on Monday, July 14, which will mark the Battle of the Boyne bank holiday, before Scotland celebrates its Summer bank holiday on Monday, August 4. The rest of the UK, including England, Wales and Northern Ireland, will observe their Summer bank holidays on Monday, August 25. Additionally, Scotland will exclusively celebrate St Andrew's Day bank holiday on Monday, December 1. After this there are then two UK-wide bank holidays to come: Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Thursday and Friday December 25 and 26. There were suggestions for an extra bank holiday this year as May 8 marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This day is commemorated annually to honour the Allies' formal acceptance of Germany's surrender in 1945. As 2024 drew to a close, whispers emerged of a possible extra bank holiday on VE Day, May 8, courtesy of Downing Street. However, the Government decided to instead "use the existing May Day bank holiday for commemorative events". Remaining UK bank holidays for 2025 Monday, July 14 - Battle of the Boyne (substitute) - Northern Ireland only Monday, August 4 - Summer bank holiday - Scotland only Monday, August 25 - Summer bank holiday - England, Wales and Northern Ireland Monday, December 1 - St Andrew's Day (substitute) - Scotland only Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day - England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Friday, December 26 - Boxing Day - England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Edinburgh Reporter
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Call for a special day for Wallace
A new campaign has been launched to create a national day to celebrate Sir William Wallace. An online petition calls for The Scottish Government to officially recognise August 23 each year as 'Wallace Day'. The date marks the anniversary of the freedom fighter's gruesome death in London in 1305. The campaign is being led by the Society of William Wallace, which commemorates 'Scotland's national hero'. It calls for 'a national day of remembrance and celebration in honour of Sir William Wallace, one of Scotland's most iconic figures'. The petition, on the platform, has already attracted hundreds of signatures. It states: 'His courage, sacrifice, and unyielding commitment to Scottish sovereignty have echoed through centuries and remain an enduring symbol of national pride and resilience. 'While monuments, books and films have kept his memory alive, there is no formal day set aside to honour the man who became a cornerstone of Scotland's national identity.' David Reid, convener of the Society of William Wallace, said Wallace Day would not have to be an official bank holiday like St Andrew's Day on November 30, but could be similar to Burns Night, held each year on the poet Robert Burns' birthday, January 25. He added: 'Wallace is pivotal in Scotland's history and many other countries around the world would recognise such a figure. 'We have a national saint and a national bard, who are both celebrated with a special day, but the national hero Wallace is not. I think it sends out the wrong message.' Campaigners say an annual Wallace Day would 'encourage historical education and civic pride, particularly among young Scots'. They say it would also provide 'a focal point for cultural events, heritage tourism, and local community gatherings'. Wallace rose from relative insignificance to become a key figure in Scottish history. He won his most famous victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 and was made Guardian of Scotland the following year. Defeated by an English army led by King Edward I at Falkirk in the summer of 1298, he evaded capture until 1305 when he was betrayed and dragged to London to be tried for treason in Westminster Hall. Wallace was hanged, drawn and quartered at Smithfield in London on 23 August 1305, in an event believed to have formed the opening spectacle of Bartholomew Fair, the largest medieval market in England. His head was put on a spike on London Bridge and his body sent in pieces to Newcastle, Edinburgh, Stirling and Perth as a warning to others. The National Wallace Monument near Stirling, which first opened to the public in 1869, pays tribute to the freedom fighter and is now one of Scotland's most popular landmarks. Awareness of Scotland's national hero was boosted by Mel Gibson's Oscar-winning 1995 epic Braveheart, which introduced the legendary figure to a global audience of millions. Wallace Monument Photo by Clément Proust on Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Nicola Sturgeon joins campaign trail with Hamilton by-election candidate Katy Loudon
John Swinney was also in the town this week amid a flurry of party leader appearances. First Minister John Swinney highlighted the impact of the Winter Fuel Payment as he made his latest by-election campaign visit to Hamilton, this week visiting the busy community cafe at the St Mary's for All centre. He joined SNP candidate Katy Loudon to meet volunteers running the community space and its popular Beechwood Cafe, as well as customers at a busy lunchtime and even took part in K-Otic Productions' regular drama class at the Auchingramont Road venue. It kicked off another week of high-profile campaigning in the hotly-contested Holyrood by-election for the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse seat, with Ms Loudon also having been joined for weekend events by former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Mr Swinney made his second visit in five days to Hamilton as he announced his government's plans to reinstate a Winter Fuel Payment of between £100 and £300 for impacted pensioners by November 30, and said of his conversations with voters: 'The issues that we are confronting are issues of concern to the public in Hamilton. One of those which we're hearing a lot of anger about, is Labour's decision to remove the Winter Fuel Payment as one of their first acts in government. 'The SNP government has decided to restore that payment and will make sure all those payments are undertaken before St Andrew's Day so that we can get those into the hands of pensioners to protect them over this winter. That's just one of the issues of concern about the Labour government causing enormous frustration in this by-election, and I'm determined that the SNP will deliver on the public's priorities.' He added of the by-election: 'We are working very hard to win it. I'm going to this by election to retain [the seat and] want to retain it in memory of my dear colleague, Christina McKelvie.' Mr Swinney told the Hamilton Advertiser of his local campaigning: 'The underlying issues are both concerns about fuel payments, cuts to benefits that are proposed by the UK government, the essential balancing of the books on the back of the poor – underlying the cost of living and standards of living. 'Some of those issues have cropped up in my conversations, but another important element which has cropped up is the really positive, beneficial value of facilities like this in the community that create gathering spaces where good work can be undertaken. 'I saw some of that today, where people can come together in a spirit of community, and St Mary's for All is a splendid example of that.' The SNP are bidding to retain the seat held by late MSP Ms McKelvie for the past 14 years, with a record field of 10 candidates appearing on the ballot paper. Asked about the rise of Reform, the First Minister noted that 'there's undoubtedly support' for the party and said: 'What's driving it is people's frustration with their standard of living and with issues around their public services. 'I accept my responsibility with the Scottish Government to do something about that, which is why I'm taking forward the steps I am on the health service, the cost of living or on the peak rail fares.' Also campaigning this week with Ms Loudon was Ms Sturgeon, who joined her on a weekend visit to Hamilton Gymnastics Club and meeting residents in Earnock. The former First Minister called the SNP candidate 'brilliant' and highlighted party policies including the Scottish Child Payment and expansion of free early learning and childcare. Ms Loudon told the Hamilton Advertiser that voters 'really appreciate' the senior figures' campaign visits, and said: 'The First Minister is really keen to speak to people on the doors. 'It says a lot about his approach and the important part for me is listening to people. 'People are really keen to speak about the NHS, primary care services, and a lot are feeling terribly let down by Labour. 'I've been a councillor since 2017 and know this area really well and my priorities are supporting residents.' A total of 10 candidates are standing in the constituency's by-election on June 5. The full list of those appearing on the ballot paper is: Collette Bradley (Scottish Socialist Party); Andy Brady (Scottish Family Party); Ross Lambie (Reform); Katy Loudon (SNP); Janice MacKay (UKIP); Ann McGuinness (Green); Aisha Mir (Liberal Democrats); Richard Nelson (Conservative); Davy Russell (Labour); and Marc Wilkinson (independent).
Scotsman
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Winter fuel allowance: Sir Keir Starmer wants more pensioners to be eligible in payment axe U-turn
A reversal of the UK Labour government's position on winter fuel payment cuts has been foreshadowed by Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Sir Keir Starmer has announced a partial U-turn on axing winter fuel payments, saying he wants to make sure 'more pensioners are eligible'. The Prime Minister made the comments, which has been mooted by reports in recent weeks, to the House of Commons on Wednesday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sir Keir Starmer has indicated a partial U-turn on winter fuel payments Speaking early during Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir said he wanted to expand the number of pensioners eligible for winter fuel payments. READ MORE: North Sea leaders and energy workers urge Keir Starmer to scrap oil and gas windfall tax The impact of the winter fuel allowance cut He has faced pressure from Labour ranks to change course over the squeeze on benefits. Around 860,000 Scottish pensioners were to be impacted by the UK government means testing winter fuel payments. The policy had been due to limit winter fuel allowance to pensioners not receiving other benefits, reducing the number of people eligible by around ten million across the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sir Keir told the Commons: 'We want to make sure people feel those improvements in their days as their lives go forward. That is why we want to ensure that as we go forward, more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking in the House of Commons. Picture: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire He said the government would 'only make decisions we can afford' and would therefore look at this as part of a fiscal event. The admission was made after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch asked Sir Keir if his government was considering reversing winter fuel cuts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Starmer had faced Scotland pressure Sir Keir had previously admitted Labour politicians in Scotland raised concerns about his decision to dramatically scale back the winter fuel allowance. The Prime Minister said late last year that "tough decisions" had to be made, but stressed he was not immune to the hardship many are facing. Sir Keir's comments during Prime Minister's Questions came just 48 hours after John Swinney confirmed a universal pension age winter fuel payment of at least £100 would be introduced in Scotland by St Andrew's Day on November 30. The First Minister had sought to contrast his own Government's action on winter heating support with that of the UK government, saying Sir Keir had cut a 'vital lifeline' for pensioners. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
