UK could get an extra bank holiday in 2025 to mark anniversary

The special commemoration will reportedly feature a four-day celebration

17:51, 25 Nov 2024Updated 18:07, 25 Nov 2024

Millions of lucky Britons will be able to enjoy a new bank holiday under government plans(Image: Niall Carson/PA)

The UK is reportedly preparing to honour the ‘Greatest Generation’ with an extra bank holiday, marking 80 years since World War II ended. Reports suggest that next year’s commemoration will feature a four-day celebration.

May 8 signifies Victory in Europe Day when Germany surrendered unconditionally in 1945, while August 15 commemorates Japan’s surrender, effectively ending the conflict. Although no specific summer weekend has been selected yet for the extension to a four-day break, it’s expected that authorities will confirm soon.

With around 70,000 WW2 veterans still with us, next year could provide a crucial chance for them to witness tributes in their honour. Veterans have shown enthusiastic support for the idea of an extended bank holiday.

Geoff Roberts, 99, a Market Garden veteran taken prisoner during the Arnhem assault in 1944, shared his thoughts: “I think it’s very important in these current times we remember those that gave their lives for our freedom and peace in Europe. We should never forget them. Maybe an extra bank holiday will help to remind people about what’s happened in the past.”

Geoff Roberts, 99, was a hero of Operation Market Garden(Image: (Image: Taxi Charity for Military Veterans))

Marie Scott, who is now 98, was just 17 during the D-Day landings and served in a vital top-secret role within an underground bunker. Tasked with transmitting coded messages from military leaders to the soldiers storming Normandy’s shores, she became witness to the chilling sounds of battle relayed over the radio waves from across the Channel, reports the Express.

Reflecting on her experiences, Marie said: “An additional bank holiday would be an opportunity to thank all those wonderful people who made such a spectacular victory possible because, without them, the future could have been very dire indeed.”

It is believed that discussions are currently taking place around potentially clearing schedules for May 9 and 12 to celebrate nationwide or adding August 22 as an extension of the summer bank holiday on August 25 to create a four-day celebration period. This potential extra downtime would enable communities throughout the UK to commemorate these significant anniversaries, akin to how the Platinum Jubilee was marked in 2022.

Marie, 98, was 17 on D-Day and worked in a top secret underground bunker passing coded messages(Image: (Image: Taxi Charity for Military Veterans))

During that radiant four-day Jubilee event, the nation celebrated the 70th anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s accession. The festivities spanned June 2 to 5, plus the day of her funeral, September 19, which was designated a bank holiday.

Furthermore, the country benefited from another bank holiday for King Charles’s coronation, with Monday, May 8, declared public rest just two days post the Westminster Abbey ceremony.

Bank holiday dates in 2025

For the upcoming year, Britons are looking forward to eight scheduled public holidays, commencing on January 1; followed by the traditional Easter breaks of Good Friday and Easter Sunday; May holidays on the 5 and 26; the late summer August 25 holiday; and finally, the festive season celebrations on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

In 2020, the early May bank holiday was shifted from Monday, May 4, to Friday, May 8, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, sparking debate over the adequacy of notice and whether an extra day off should have been granted. Following Queen Elizabeth’s passing, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed proposals for a new bank holiday to honour her reign, which would increase the yearly total to nine in England and Wales.

The proposal received strong support from Lord Richard Dannatt, 73, former Chief of the General Staff and Chairman of the Normandy Memorial Trust, who described it as a “brilliant concept”, and Royal biographer Gyles Brandreth, 76, who believed such a day was “needed more than ever to remind us what connects us, to create an excuse to engage our neighbours in something more than small talk and to express our thanks to a lifetime of service in her Majesty the Queen. It is, as they say, for Queen and Country”.

PwC analysis suggested that sectors like retail, hospitality, and tourism, which suffered during the pandemic, would greatly benefit from the economic activity an additional bank holiday could bring. However, government officials rejected the idea, citing “each bank holiday presents a significant cost to our economy”.

On the final day of the Platinum Jubilee long weekend, June 5, a staggering 16,750,000 people – one in four of the UK population – took part in celebrations, making it one of the largest community events in British history. Last month’s Budget confirmed that taxpayers would contribute £10 million to commemorate the VE Day and VJ Day anniversaries next year.

Dick Goodwin, Vice President of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “We are looking forward to celebrating with the remaining Second World War heroes – they deserve Britain’s gratitude and respect for their courage and sacrifice. We are looking forward to the bank holiday and stand ready to help.”

While officials refrained from speculating about plans currently under consideration, one confirmed that the celebrations would be of “national significance” and a programme of events would be confirmed shortly. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport told the Express: “The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day will be moments of huge significance for our country, and the Government is committed to commemorating the occasions appropriately. That is why we have announced more than £10 million for events. We will announce the Government’s plans to mark the occasion shortly.”