UK Bank Holidays – 2023

By Deborah Oluwumi

The holiday season is always a welcomed time, even for your seemingly workaholic boss and the HR constantly keeping tabs on you! People worldwide eagerly anticipate holidays to take a breather from their work and spend quality time with their loved ones. Some might even utilise these holidays to take up part-time jobs and supplement their income.

Image Source: bellybelly.com

In the UK, there is what is known as the s Bank Holidays, also referred to as public holidays. Why are they called bank holidays? In accordance with the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, Bank Holidays are fixed by law as days when financial transactions can be put on hold.

This year, however, the entire UK enjoyed an additional bank holiday due to the coronation of King Charles III.”

Although the terms “bank holiday” and “public holiday” are used interchangeably, there is a slight distinction between bank holidays based on statute and public holidays based on common law (like Christmas Day in England and Wales). But for most practical purposes, they are both treated the same.

In 1871, he formulated the Bank Holiday Bill, which became law and established the first official bank holidays.”

Sir John Lubbock, a multifaceted individual who was a scientific writer, banker, politician, and the first Baron of Avebury, according to history is said to have introduced bank holidays. In 1871, he formulated the Bank Holiday Bill, which became law and established the first official bank holidays. Initially, these holidays only affected banks and financial institutions, hence the name. However, the practice extended to include businesses, shops, schools, and the government over time.

Sir John Lubbock introduced bank holidays in 1871 Image Source: Getty Images via BBC

In England and Wales, there are 8 (eight) holidays each year, while Scotland has 9 (nine,) and Northern Ireland enjoys 10 (ten) holidays. Northern Ireland shares the same holidays as England and Wales, with the addition of two more: St Patrick’s Day on 17th March and the Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne on 12th July (Orangemen’s Day). Scotland, on the other hand, has an extra holiday for St Andrew’s Day since 2007. This year, however, the entire UK enjoyed an additional bank holiday due to the coronation of King Charles III.

Scotland, on the other hand, has an extra holiday for St Andrew’s Day since 2007. “

Listed below are the various bank holidays in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in 2023

Bank Holidays in England and Wales 2023

A total of 6 out of the 9 Bank holidays have been taken for England and Wales this year. There are 3 more days of holidays remaining between now and the end of the year. The next bank holiday for England and Wales is the summer bank holiday which will hold on August 28.

These are the remaining bank holidays for England and Wales. With pending strike actions holiday makers may need to plan very well.

Bank Holidays in Scotland 2023

A total of 8 out of the 11 Bank holidays for 2023 have been taken in Scotland. There are 3 more days of holidays remaining between now and the end of the year. Scotland, having taken their summer bank holiday on August 7 would have the next holiday on November 30, which is St Andrew’s Day. 

Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland 2023

For the year 2023, a total of 8 days of Banks holiday have been completed. There are 3 more days of holidays remaining between now and the end of the year. The next bank holiday for England and Wales is the summer bank holiday which will hold on August 28.

The following are the upcoming Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland

Working on Bank Holidays 

The Bank Holiday Act 1971 doesn’t grant workers leave on bank holidays; instead, it suspends financial and other transactions on those days. It replaced the Bank Holidays Act 1871, which aimed to address the challenge faced by banks in giving their employees holidays due to payment obligations. While most employers could grant holidays on those days, banks couldn’t do so because bill-holders could demand payment on those days. This Act was necessary to keep banks open on those occasions and prevent bankruptcy. Nowadays, many employers choose to give their employees the day off on bank holidays, even though it’s not mandated by law. Whether a worker gets the day off or not depends on their contract or industry customs, and if not specified, case law supports the employee’s right to paid leave.