Extra Bank Holiday on Monday plans in full as government gives update
England fans are clamouring for an extra Bank Holiday on Monday and the government has given its latest update.
Starmer gives answer on bank holiday if England win Euros
Millions of people across the UK are hoping for an extra Bank Holiday on Monday, July 15 to help celebrate England’s progress in the Euro 2024 tournament as they await a face off in the final against Spain.
And new Prime Minister could make a very popular decision after he dropped hints about adding in a new national celebration if Gareth Southgate and his England all stars do indeed bring football home on Sunday, July 14 at 8pm.
Sir Keir Starmer was asked whether England expects an extra Bank Holiday on Monday if Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jordan Pickford et al do manage to do the unthinkable and beat Spain to lift the European championship for the first time ever.
While the PM was attending a NATO conference on Wednesday so couldn’t see England beat the Dutch with an Ollie Watkins wonder strike winner, Keir is keeping tabs on the increasing fervour for a national holiday at short notice.
He said when asked at the NATO summit that he didn’t want to ‘jinx it’: “I went to the last Euros finals. I don't want to go through that again so I don't want to jinx anything. We must mark it in some way but the most important thing is getting it over the line on Sunday.”
In 2021, Sir Keir vocally backed the idea of an extra Bank Holiday should England have managed to beat Italy in the Euro 2021 final (which in the end, we lost on penalties).
Starmer said at the time: “The whole country is incredibly proud of what Gareth Southgate and our England heroes have achieved already," he commented back then. "History has been made."
"If we win on Sunday, the country should get the chance to celebrate it properly with an extra bank holiday, granted in the name of the England team. I've got a strong feeling, it's coming home."
The government’s official Bank Holiday website’s latest update simply says: “The next bank holiday in England and Wales is 26 August Summer bank holiday.”
Football fans will be keeping an eagle eye on whether that may change if England do lift the trophy late on Sunday night - which if the match goes to penalties could finish as late as 11pm.
Either way Monday might become an unofficial bank holiday for many, with schools changing their opening hours and some shops opening later already confirmed.
Employers are also being encouraged to explore flexible working and allow footy fans to come in late on Monday too.
