Consultation on Bank Holidays

26 June 2006:

Plans to ensure that workers get to take paid leave for bank holidays in addition to the statutory four weeks annual leave, were set out in a government consultation paper today.

The proposals mean that up to two million of the lowest paid workers stand to benefit from additional leave, with women, part-timers and those from ethnic minorities being the main beneficiaries.

The government proposes to phase in the additional leave starting with an increase from 20 to 24 days (pro rata for part time workers) from 1 October 2007. In addition views are being sought on whether the rest of the leave should be introduced:

in one stage, from October 2008;
in one stage, from October 2009; or,
in two phases, increasing to 26 days in October 2008 and to 28 days from October 2009.

For further information:

Contact: Business Link Wessex
Tel: 08454 58 85 58
Email: [gareth.pugh@businesslinkwessex.co.uk] to request a model 'Holiday Entitlement Clause' for a Contract of Employment