NEW UK BANK HOLIDAY

Early day motion 1400, tabled 23 April 2008 by Tony Lloyd (Labour). Signed by 75 members.

That this House welcomes the campaigns to introduce a new UK bank holiday; is aware that Britain has the lowest number of public holidays per year in the European Union, excepting Romania; believes that a well-thought out new public holiday would bring people together for a national day of celebration and that a new public holiday would help to improve the work-life balance of employees and improve productivity; commends the TUC campaign for a new bank holiday, supported by major UK trade unions and national voluntary organisations; recognises the work that Thomas Cook has undertaken in collecting half a million signatures on their petition calling for a new bank holiday to be introduced in the UK; notes the significant contribution of think-tanks such as the Institute for Public Policy Research and the Fabian Society in building a sound case for introducing a new bank holiday; believes that hard-working Britons deserve an extra day off each year; and asks the Government to recognise increasing public demand for an extra day off by announcing the introduction of a new bank holiday at the earliest opportunity.

Signatures by party: Labour 69, Liberal Democrat 3, Independent 2, UKIP 1.