Blair offers bank holiday promise

Tony Blair says the proposals will benefit low-paid workers

Tony Blair has pledged to ensure workers get bank holidays on top of paid leave if Labour wins the next general election.

The prime minister announced the plans which will benefit two million workers currently forced to take bank holidays off as part of their annual leave.

Writing in the Daily Mirror, Mr Blair said the move would benefit mainly low-paid workers and women.

He said people can lose over a week of paid leave under the current law.

Paid holidays

"A third term Labour government will help those still missing out by ensuring bank holidays come on top of the right to four weeks paid holiday," wrote Mr Blair.

"This Labour government which gave everyone the right to paid holidays for the first time is determined to take action."

There are also the forgotten millions who... have these days counted as part of their annual holiday Patricia Hewitt Trade secretary

The TUC recently lobbied the government for three new public holidays during the year, to bring the UK in line with Europe.

Europe averages 11 bank holidays each year, compared to eight in England and Wales and 10 in Northern Ireland. Only the Netherlands has fewer public holidays than the UK, but Dutch workers have more annual leave.

Welcoming Mr Blair's proposal, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, said the move showed the government "had listened to people at work".

"This could be the last Easter bank holiday that millions of UK workers are forced to take as part of their annual leave," he said.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, said everyone would benefit from the move.

"These are not luxury extras, they are the measures that a decent, civilised society ought to adopt."

Minimum wage attack

The proposals are part of Labour's "People at Work" mini-manifesto.

"We shouldn't forget that plenty of people will be working this weekend - staffing our hospitals, keeping the transport system running or working in shops, bars or restaurants," said Patricia Hewitt, trade and industry secretary and cabinet minister for women.

"Not all of them will get a paid day off in lieu. And there are also the forgotten millions who, while they may be off these bank holidays, have these days counted as part of their annual holiday.

"That's not fair to them or to their families. So we are going to do something about it."

The prime minister is still to announce a date for the general election but it is widely expected to be on 5 May.

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Have you been forced to work your bank holiday? What is your job? How do you feel about the prime minister's proposal? Send us your comments.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

I've worked most bank holidays over the last 40 years - 25 of them Christmas Day. But I've always had a day off later in the year for it and been paid extra, so while it would have been nice to have spent this time with my family, I can't complain.
Bill, UK

I agree with the principle of fairness for those who have to work over bank holidays but to announce it now is typical Blair electioneering - people are not so stupid!
D Walmsley, Scotland

It is true that the UK has less bank holidays and we are required to work harder than our European counterparts. Our economy is in better shape than any other country in Europe and our standard of living is much higher. Go figure!
Louis Berk, UK

As an NHS worker, I totally agree with Mr Blair that bank holidays should not have to be taken off as part of annual holidays. They should be on top of the 20 days leave you are entitled to.
Audrey Yates, Scotland

I think Tony Blair should go further and increase the number of bank holidays to the European average of 11. I'm a "floating voter" but he'd definitely get my vote if he brought in these changes and using the European average as an argument might actually make us a little more keen on the whole European integration issue!
Ed, UK

Despite trying to run a small business with minimum levels of staff to try and eke a profit, despite paying more than minimum wage to try and retain the necessary staff, despite working bank holidays ourselves to keep output steady, us, the small business owners are to find the money to pay for eight days extra holiday a year!
Debra Potts, Britain

But not all of us want to take time off at busy bank holidays! Abolish bank holidays and allow us to take time off when we want not when the government and the trades unions dictate.
William Scott, GB

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