Bank holidays were first introduced by the Bank Holidays Act of 1871. There are currently 6 bank holidays in England and Wales, which with the traditional Christmas Day and Good Friday bring the total to 8 public holidays. Scotland also has 8 public holidays, though 2 of them are on different days to the ones in England and Wales, whilst Northern Ireland has 10.
Although bank holidays are widely observed by UK employers, they are not a statutory right. Your contract of employment will mention whether you have an entitlement to holiday on these days.
Some employers have included bank holidays within the 4 week European minimum annual leave, rather than allowing them in addition to the 4 weeks. After union campaigning, the government increased the minimum entitlement. Since October 2007, eight days have been added to a full-timer's leave entitlement, thereby ensuring that people get 4 weeks plus either bank holidays or time off in lieu.
A list of the days which bank holidays fall on every year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is maintained at the Directgov website: www.direct.gov.uk.
The Scottish Executive maintain a similar list for Scotland at www.scotland.gov.uk.
