Most workers in England are unaware that England is one of the worst countries in the world when it comes to bank holiday provision.
Let’s be blunt: England has just 8 public holidays a year, the lowest in Europe, and among the lowest in the world. Even within the UK, the Workers in England get fewer bank holidays than Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The UK’s Unequal Bank Holiday Divide
| Nation | No. of Bank Holidays |
| England & Wales | 8 (joint lowest in Europe) |
| Scotland | 9 |
| Northern Ireland | 10 |
In Northern Ireland, people get St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne off work. In Scotland, there’s an extra day too for St Andrew’s day. But in England? Nothing for St George’s Day
This inequality isn’t just unfair, the Workers of England union believes it’s outdated and there needs to equality across the UK which also includes an extra day for Wales.
Make St George’s Day a Bank Holiday
The Workers of England Union believes it’s time the British government gave England the respect and recognition it deserves. That starts with a new public holiday on 23rd April – St George’s Day.
Why?
- Celebration is good for business: People spend more on holidays on food, travel, leisure. This would boost the economy and bring much needed monley into local communities.
- Patron saint days’ work: St Patrick’s Day in Ireland and Northern Ireland has become a global cultural and commercial success. So has St Andrew’s Day in Scotland. Just look at the ‘Estimated Economic Impact’ (Ireland) 2024 Figures:
€80–€100 million in direct tourism revenue during the March holiday period.
€50–€70 million in spending by locals on events, hospitality, food, drink, and retail.
€10–€15 million in media and branding exposure globally.
Total estimated benefit to the Irish economy: €140–€180 million annually.
- England needs a community day as well: There’s growing support for St George’s Day celebrations. More and more people are asking: Why celebrate St Patrick, but not St George?
Unity, Identity, and Belonging
We believe promoting St George’s Day as a national holiday and a family day will:
- Strengthen national identity
- Encourage community spirit
- Build a stronger sense of belonging and social unity
We challenge anyone to explain what’s wrong with celebrating England’s people, values, and accomplishments.
Global Bank Holiday Comparison
Take a look at how England compares globally: Are you shocked to see that England and Wales rank among the bottom three globally.
| Country | No. of Public Holidays (2025) |
| India | 42 |
| Nepal | 35 |
| Iran | 26 |
| Sri Lanka | 25 |
| Malaysia | 24 |
| Japan | 20 |
| Chile | 20 |
| Colombia | 18 |
| South Korea | 17 |
| Russia | 14 |
| France | 11 |
| USA | 10 |
| Portugal | 10 |
| Northern Ireland | 10 |
| Scotland | 9 |
| Australia | 9 |
| England & Wales | 8 |
| Netherlands | 8 |
| Mexico | 7 |
What Companies Can Do
The British government has shown little interest in increasing England’s holidays, despite strong public support.
But companies can lead the way. By giving staff the day off on St George’s Day (23rd April), employers can show:
- Community values
- Civic-minded leadership
- Pride in the accomplishments that workers of England have achieved
Yes, time off has a cost but unity and worker morale are priceless. And the economic gains of an extra Bank holiday spending, speak for themselves.
Time for Fairness, Time for Change
The Workers of England Union calls on:
- The UK Government to grant a new public holiday for England on 23rd April
- Employers to show leadership and give their staff the day off
- Local councils, pubs, businesses and communities to embrace and celebrate St George’s Day
England deserves a national holiday of its own. Let’s make it happen.
Stephen Morris,
General Secretary of the Workers of England Union