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Bank Holidays

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Bank Holidays

SECTION GUIDE

What are Bank Holidays?

Bank holidays are days designated by the UK government when banks and many businesses close. They are set under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 or by royal proclamation.

For HR and employers, the key question is whether these days are:

  • counted as part of the 5.6 weeks’ statutory holiday entitlement, or
  • given as additional paid leave on top of statutory entitlement.

Employees do not have an automatic right to paid time off on bank holidays. Entitlement depends on what is written in their contract of employment.

What are Public Holidays?

Public holidays are dates that are traditionally observed and celebrated by the public, such as Christmas Day or St Patrick’s Day.

  • In practice, most bank holidays are also public holidays.
  • However, in Scotland, local councils may designate different public holidays that are not statutory bank holidays.
  • Employers are only legally obliged to give time off if this is specified in the contract.

Why does the difference matter in HR?

  • Contracts must be clear – Whether bank and/or public holidays are included in entitlement or given in addition.
  • Part-time staff – If bank holidays always fall on days a part-time employee doesn’t work (e.g. Mondays), they may be disadvantaged unless you apply a fair pro-rata system.
  • Business operations – Sectors like retail, transport, and healthcare often require cover on bank/public holidays. Contracts must allow for this.

UK Bank Holidays and Public Holidays: 2025 and 2026

Below is a breakdown showing which are official Bank Holidays and which are widely recognised Public Holidays. Many days are both.

  • England & Wales – Bank Holidays and Public Holidays

    2025

    •  1 January – New Year’s Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 18 April – Good Friday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 21 April – Easter Monday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 5 May – Early May Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 26 May – Spring Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 25 August – Summer Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 25 December – Christmas Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 26 December – Boxing Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)

    2026

    • 1 January – New Year’s Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 3 April – Good Friday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 6 April – Easter Monday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 4 May – Early May Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 25 May – Spring Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 31 August – Summer Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 25 December – Christmas Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute day) (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)

  • Scotland – Bank Holidays and Public Holidays

    2025

    • 1 January – New Year’s Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 2 January – 2nd January Holiday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday, Scotland only)
    • 18 April – Good Friday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 5 May – Early May Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 4 August – Summer Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 30 November – St Andrew’s Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 25 December – Christmas Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 26 December – Boxing Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)

    2026

    • 1 January – New Year’s Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 2 January – 2nd January Holiday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 3 April – Good Friday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 4 May – Early May Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 25 May – Spring Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 3 August – Summer Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 30 November – St Andrew’s Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 25 December – Christmas Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute day) (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)

  • Northern Ireland – Bank Holidays and Public Holidays

    2025

    • 1 January – New Year’s Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 17 March – St Patrick’s Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 18 April – Good Friday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 21 April – Easter Monday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 5 May – Early May Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 26 May – Spring Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 14 July – Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 25 August – Summer Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 25 December – Christmas Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 26 December – Boxing Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)

    2026

    • 1 January – New Year’s Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 17 March – St Patrick’s Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 3 April – Good Friday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 6 April – Easter Monday (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 4 May – Early May Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 25 May – Spring Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 13 July – Battle of the Boyne (substitute day) (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 31 August – Summer Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
    • 25 December – Christmas Day (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)
    • 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute day) (Bank Holiday and Public Holiday)

Your Questions Answered

FAQs on Bank Holidays

  • How should part-time staff be treated?Reveal

    They must receive a pro-rata allowance to ensure fairness.

  • Do bank holidays count towards the statutory 28 days?Reveal

    Yes, unless the contract offers them on top of statutory entitlement.

  • Are public holidays different from bank holidays?Reveal

    Yes. Most bank holidays are also public holidays, but in Scotland some additional public holidays are observed locally and are not official bank holidays.

  • Can employees be required to work on bank/public holidays?Reveal

    Yes, if this is stated in their contract.

  • Are employees entitled to paid leave on bank holidays?Reveal

    Not automatically, only if their contract provides for it.

Where to find out more A collection of hand-picked useful resources for Bank Holidays from impact HR and beyond

Need support managing annual leave and Bank Holidays?

Whether you’re updating HR policies, training managers, or handling complex employee issues, impact HR can help you stay compliant, confident, and in control. Request a callback to see how we can support your business.

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