France considers axing bank holidays - would Brits riot if UK does the same?
But as France toys with the idea of scrapping Easter Monday and VE Day bank holidays to provide a much-needed boost to their economy, Metro asks top economists if the UK could follow suit.
With the UK facing a similar yawning spending black hole, experts consider whether one less day of rest could be the answer, and if so, which day it should be.
One less day of rest means one more day of workers back in the office and being economically productive, argues Maxwell Marlow, Director of Public Affairs at the Adam Smith Institute.
Indeed research suggests each bank holiday costs the UK £2.3 billion.
With economic growth declining in April and then in May this year, that boost could be an 'attractive' option for the Chancellor.
Marlow told Metro: 'In terms of the facts and figures, scrapping a bank holiday would be good for GDP and they should probably do it.'
Senior Economist Charlie Cornes agreed that cutting a bank holiday would help to balance the books.
It could also be a 'creative', but unlikely, way Rachel Reeves could avoid tax rises or spending cuts in the Autumn Budget.
Less bank holidays would hit an already struggling hospitality sector, economists told Metro.
Bars, restaurants, pubs and shops all see a boost to their profits when Brits are off work and socialising, explained Cornes, Senior Economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).
But as the sector continues to be 'in a lot of trouble, facing rising costs and labour shortages, one less public holiday could be the nail in the coffin'.
While a cut to bank holidays could see a short-term boost to GDP, the risk is that the move would upset and demotivate workers.
Prof Stephen Millard told Metro: 'Public holidays are partly about morale. Less days off could damage morale and could mean people won't work as hard.'
The UK only has eight public holidays a year as it is – compared to 14 in Spain, 11 in France and nine in Germany and Ireland.
Prof Millard, who is the Interim Director at National Institute of Economic and Social Research, explained that workers might just ask their bosses for more annual leave anyway – making the cuts less effective.
'The idea that a government would want to scrap public holidays as a way of improving public finances doesn't seem to be the right sort of logic,' he added.
Above all, the move would be 'too politically toxic' and unpopular for the Chancellor to ever consider.
'There would be riots on the streets,' Marlow predicted.
The most costly bank holidays, Christmas and Boxing Day, are also the most culturally important, adds the Adam Smith Institute economist.
'They are total turn-off days for the economy' because shops shut and people stay at home with friends and family.
Marlow added: 'If the Chancellor was going to cut a bank holiday, it'd probably be one of the seasonal bank holidays in May or August. They are not cultural bank holidays.'
Economics lecturer Renaud Foucart believes that people are attached to the May breaks from work and that if Reeves was going to target one she should pick the August holiday, due for August 25 this year.
Cornes disagreed, however, saying the August day off needed to be protected because summer weather is most profitable for local tourism and hospitality.
While the Easter bank holidays are also religiously and culturally significant, that leaves the early May holiday as the economist's choice too.
Dr Siegel from Kent University says the May bank holidays have the highest impact on the economy because of disruptions to the construction sector that months – so agrees one of the two days off would be best to axe.
All experts Metro spoke to saw the economic benefits of moving a bank holiday away from the 'cluster' of days off in the Spring.
The UK always see two rest days for Easter and then two more just months later in May.
'This leads to multiple four-day weeks and could lead to increased disruption to the economy' explains Cornes.
'They have more of an impact than singular bank holidays.'
Marlow called this 'front-loading' of days off 'crazy'. He believes that spreading them out would help GDP in the spring months.
Moving a bank holiday would also address burnout faced by workers in the long stretch without a day off at the end of the year.
Prof Millard explained: 'We have no holiday between the August bank holiday and Christmas. That's a very tough time for workers, that would have an effect on productivity.' More Trending
Taking out the early May bank holiday and shifting it to later in the year could help workers and keep them 'happier', he speculated.
Rachel Reeves and her advisors appear set to tackle the UK's financial challenges without touching bank holidays.
A UK Government spokesperson told Metro: 'Economic growth is the number one mission of this government to deliver our Plan for Change.
'The current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established, and we have no plans to change it.'
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: What changes in ISAs could mean for you and where you should invest
MORE: What changes to mortgages for first-time buyers means for you
MORE: The Starmiversary is here – where did it all go so wrong?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
23 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Looking to make extra cash this summer? 25 ways to make £3,500 during the holidays
Mum-of-four Vicky is set to earn £820 this summer with her side-hustle plan - here's how you can cash in too CASH IN Looking to make extra cash this summer? 25 ways to make £3,500 during the holidays Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DO you need to make extra cash this summer? We reveal 25 ways to boost your income during the holidays. From festival litter-picking to becoming a 'man with a van' - and even making money without getting out of bed - top finance writer Laura Miller reveals the unexpected summer side-hustles which can boost your bank balance, fast! 4 We reveal the best side hustles you can start now to earn thousands this summer Credit: Alamy 4 You could earn £30 an hour by painting other people's homes Credit: Getty 4 If you are good with kids, then you could make hundreds of pounds by tutoring Credit: Getty 4 You can earn £366 this summer by working as a waitress at events Credit: Getty An estimated 460,000 Brits already have a side hustle - a number which is rising fast, with 77,000 more people starting one in 2024 than in the previous year. Brits earn a whopping £590 a month on average from these, according to software company Sage. Mums are among the most eager to get in on the extra cash, with around 21 per cent of all side hustles done by working mothers. But which ones will make you the most money per month? We round up 25 side hustles that can make YOU money in the summer months and share our top tips to get started. 1. Become a 'man with a van' – £1,025 Summer is a popular time for families to move house. If you have a car or a van, then you could earn £34.17 an hour on average by working as a mover, according to TaskRabbit. This job is not for everyone, as you will need to be physically fit, have a clean driving licence and be good at parking. You can look for individual jobs on websites, including Airtasker, or sign up to work for a company. Hello Movers is looking for people who want to work as movers or handymen. To join, you need to own your own van, have a driving licence and moving insurance. 2. Make money in the garden – £917 If you're good in the garden, then you could earn up to £30.59 an hour getting your hands dirty in the fresh air. People always need someone to sweep or wash their patio ahead of summer gatherings, as homeowners look to make the most of their outdoor space. You can find job postings on websites including Some people will ask you to bring your own tools, so make sure you read the job description before you agree to it. You'll also need to be physically fit for this job, as you'll be required to lift plant pots, mow lawns and pull weeds. I'll earn £820 this summer with my side hustles VICKY Collins plans to earn £820 by the end of the summer with her three side hustles. The 50-year-old, from High Wycombe, plans to spend the money on treats for her three teenagers, four-year-old and husband. She also intends to set some money aside to help her two eldest children, who will start university in September. One way she will earn extra cash is by offering lessons to children during the school holidays through her business Total Tutoring. Vicky estimates that she will earn around £650 by teaching children. The busy mum also wants to turn her clutter into cash by selling it at car boot sales. Her cupboards and drawers are full of unwanted baby clothes and toddler toys that her youngest has grown out of. She searched online for a car boot sale near to where she lives and has booked a slot at Big Ben's Car Boots. Vicky says: 'Baby things sell quite well because a lot of people need them and there's often no point buying them new. "I've sold a portable high chair for £15. I've also previously sold toys for a few pounds each." She estimates that she could make up to £70 at the car boot sale. Vicky usually lists higher value items on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. She has previously made £300 by selling a treadmill online and this summer hopes to earn up to £100 by selling a travel buggy. She adds: 'Sometimes I've even made money on stuff that I bought on Marketplace and resold it again once I've cleaned it up or fixed it.' 3. Go to festivals for free – £450 It may not be glamorous, but you could earn up to £15 an hour by working as a litter picker at a festival or event this summer. Some festivals will even throw in free tickets or camping as an added extra - so if you love heading to outdoor events, this could be perfect for you. The number of hours you will need to work depends on the festival, but it is usually around 16 hours, which is spread across a few days. Check job boards like Manpower, StudentJob UK, Indeed and Totaljobs for opportunities. Plus, you won't need to learn any extra skills - it's easy work. 4. Feed your neighbour's pets – £450 Another easy way to make a few extra pounds is to feed your neighbour's cats or dogs while they're on holiday. You could earn around £15 an hour by dog sitting, according to Pet Business Insurance. Or if you are happy to look after a dog overnight, then you could make £25. You'll obviously need to be an animal lover, and pet owners might prefer that you have some experience before trusting you with their furry friends - either having a pet of your own or having looked after animals in the past. Post on local Facebook groups or speak to your neighbours to find jobs near you, or join pet-sitting apps. 5. Try your hand as a tour guide – £400 If you're a history buff, then you could earn extra cash by showing visitors around historical buildings, parks, art galleries or museums. Pop into your local tourist attraction to see if they are hiring any tour guides and how much they are paid. You'll need to have a passion for your chosen subject and have enough knowledge on the topic that you'll be able to share fun facts with visitors. Being able to speak in front of crowds is also a bonus - so this might not be for you if you feel a bit nervous in front of big groups. You could earn around £12.21 an hour in this job and will usually need to work between 16 and 30 hours a week. 6. Clean homes for cash – £643 Cleaning is another easy way to make extra cash without needing any training or previous experience. Cleaners on the side hustle platform TaskRabbit earned £21.42 an hour over the past three months. Again, this is a physical job as you may need to pull out furniture, as well as hovering or even washing windows. You can find cleaning jobs by signing up for TaskRabbit online or through its app. Or post on local message boards or Facebook groups to find clients. 7. Sell clutter on eBay & Vinted – £250 Forget about spring cleaning - summer is the perfect time to declutter. Go through your cupboards and make a list of things you no longer need, such as baby clothes, old coats and trainers. There are no fees to list items on resale website Vinted, and you can put up to 300 items a month on eBay for free. Both platforms have apps that make it easy, and it involves very little effort to list the items - perfect for those who may not have a lot of spare time. Just download them from the app store, snap a few pictures of each item, then write a brief description of the product and its condition. You could earn anywhere from a few hundred pounds to £4,000 a month. 8. Fill out online surveys – £50 Earn money by filling in online surveys while your kids are jumping around the soft play or having their afternoon nap. Websites including Branded Surveys, Swagbucks, and Survey Junkie will pay you 25p to £5 a survey, according to If you were to take 20 surveys a month, you could earn around £50. To get started, you will need to sign up to one of these websites and answer a few questions about yourself, such as your age and location. 9. Build flat pack furniture – £769 If you're good with a screwdriver, then you could earn hundreds of pounds in an afternoon by helping to set up garden furniture or BBQs. On average, side hustlers who did this made £25.64 an hour over the past three months. You'll need to be good with your hands and have a passion for DIY. Use websites such as Airtasker or TaskRabbit to find people who will pay you to assemble their furniture. Do I need to pay tax on the money I earn? MANY people have recently started a side hustle to help them make ends meet. While there are plenty of easy ways to earn some extra income, you need to make sure you know the rules first. When you work for a company they take the tax you owe from your earnings and pays HMRC so you don't have to. But if you earn extra cash from babysitting or dog walking them you may have to pay this tax yourself. Every person gets a trading allowance of £1,000 a year. This is the amount they can earn from a side hustle or by selling items online. Once you earn more than this amount then you may need to pay tax on any money you make. You need to register for a self-assessment tax return with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to make sure you are paying the right amount of tax. The exact amount of tax you will need to pay depends on your income. If your income is more than £12,570 but less than £50,270 then you will pay tax at 20 per cent. If you do not file a tax return then you could be hit with a shock tax bill from HMRC asking you to pay the tax you owe and a penalty on top. 10. Teach kids online – £1,200 Many parents will pay for tutoring over the summer so their child is ready for the new school year. An hour of tutoring can cost almost £40, according to Tutor Cruncher. It doesn't matter if you have never tutored before or don't have any qualifications. But those who have experience in certain subjects may be able to help children with more specific needs. Some parents are happy to pay a tutor to help their child with their homework or to read with them. You can use websites, including Tutor Doctor, to match you with potential students. 11. Declutter at a car boot sale – £800 Car boot sales are a great way to make money from your unwanted stuff and reduce clutter at the same time. Outdoor car boot sales are usually held each week from spring to late summer, but some are open all year. You can use the online database Car Boot Junction to find a car boot sale near you. Just enter your postcode and it will tell you which sales are on in your area, if they have toilets and entry fees. Most people make a couple of hundred pounds per event – but some make £5,000 a month. 12. Wash your neighbour's cars – £600 You could earn £20 an hour by cleaning other people's cars. Simply make a sign and offer your services to friends, family members or your neighbours. Assume that each car will take you about an hour to clean and that you will wash up to five a week. You will need to provide your own bucket, soap and hose pipe and it is a labour-intensive job. 13. Become a babysitter – £443 Now that the summer holiday has started, many parents are desperate for a babysitter. You could earn around £10.52 to £14.75 an hour as a babysitter, according to Bubble Childcare. You can also use the app to find families who need a babysitter in your area. Simply set up a profile, search for jobs with local families and then receive your payment through the app. 14. Do odd jobs for cash – £959 If you are good at DIY, then you could earn hundreds of pounds by mounting TVs and mirrors this summer. You will need to be good with a tape measure, be able to lift heavy items and use a drill. You can earn around £31.97 an hour with this side hustle, according to TaskRabbit. Use the app to find and apply for opportunities. 15. Help others get fit – £900 If you're into fitness, then you could make money by training others in your local park. A new personal trainer can charge £20 to £30 per hour, according to Your Personal Training UK. You may need to complete a course before you are able to work as a personal trainer. Some of these courses can be done online or at in-person sessions at a local college. 16. Walk other people's pets – £338 A simple way to earn some extra cash is by walking other people's dogs. The average dog walker charge in the UK is about £11.25 per walk, according to Go Walkies. Download its app and create a profile to get started, but experience with animals is preferred by pet owners. 17. Paint or decorate – £892 Lots of people decorate their homes during the summer, as paint dries much faster in warm weather. On average, painters and decorators earn £29.72 an hour through TaskRabbit. Search the app to find and apply for opportunities. You may need to buy your own paintbrushes, sheets and paint rollers. 18. Become a delivery driver – £404 If you have a car and can drive, then you could earn a steady income this summer as a delivery driver. On average, drivers for courier DPD earn £13.47 per hour - which is above minimum wage. Check out openings on Indeed or download the Evri app and sign up to become a self-employed courier. 19. Get paid to sit on the beach – £420 Fancy earning money while sitting on the beach this summer? You can earn up to £14.10 per hour as a lifeguard for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). You will need to complete a training course before you can start working, and you will be called into action should an emergency take place. But in between you'll be able to enjoy the surroundings on the sand during the summer months while more people head to the coast. Get qualified by visiting the RNLI website. 20. Pick fruit at a local farm – £366 Strawberry season is here, which means there are lots of opportunities to earn money by picking fruit. Fruit picking jobs in the UK typically pay at least the National Living Wage, which is currently £12.21 for those aged 21 and over. You don't need any experience to apply, and you can work on a flexible basis. Websites including Indeed, Jooble, and the Find a Job service list loads of seasonal and field roles. 21. Stay in someone else's house – £240 You could earn money and enjoy a stay in a new town or city by becoming a house sitter. The standard rate is £60 per day, according to House and Home Sitters UK. You can offer your services online on websites, including 22. Clean caravans – £1,200 Caravan holidays are popular with families who want a getaway in the UK. But did you know that you can make extra cash by cleaning them? You could earn £100 for cleaning the exterior and £95 for the interior of a caravan, Checkatrade says. Ask your local caravan park if they need help during the busy summer season. 23. Waitressing at high-end events – £366 Summer is packed with sporting events and weddings where waiters are needed. The job is perfect for people who are friendly, good on their feet and physically fit. You could earn at least minimum wage (£12.21 an hour) plus extra in tips. You can register for work on websites including Push Promotions and E4S. 24. Rent out your spare room – £3,500 Earn £1,000 a month letting out all or part of your home, according to Hello Guest. Some guests have earned up to £3,500 per month in summer, it said. Airbnb is the most popular platform for short-term rentals but you'll of course need a spare room to begin with. To create a listing, just write a short description of your home, take a few photos and explain what makes it unique. 25. Sell your food at a street market – £300 You could earn up to £100 a day by signing up for a stall at your local farmers' market. Bake your own cupcakes, rustle up some samosas or make your own sandwiches to sell. Some markets charge you to run your own stall, so check the costs before you sign up. Side hustle site Airtasker has lots of tips to get you started. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Cadbury launching new Christmas advent calendar in weeks based on iconic breakfast spread
Cadbury also launched two new Bournville flavours recently - see below for more details CHOCS AWAY Cadbury launching new Christmas advent calendar in weeks based on iconic breakfast spread Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CADBURY is launching a new Christmas advent calendar in weeks - and it's based on an iconic breakfast spread. The chocolatier is set to unveil the Dairy Milk Lotus Biscoff calendar at major retailers in September. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Cadbury is unveiling a new advent calendar in weeks Credit: Instagram / @uknewestfoods The 236g box, which comes with a recommended selling price of £7.79, contains 12 plain Dairy Milk chunks and 12 featuring crunchy Lotus Biscoff pieces and Biscoff spread. Cadbury is also launching a Dairy Milk Biscoff 350g sharing tablet for a recommended selling price of £5.83. Both products will hit supermarket in September, ahead of the festive season, The Grocer reports. Mondelez, which owns Cadbury, has also reportedly said it will roll out new designs for its Cadbury Roses and Heroes next month. Two new Toblerone Truffles flavours will launch as well - Golden Caramel and Assorted - with a recommended selling price of £6.75. The Sun has asked Mondelez which retailers the new Dairy Milk Biscoff products will be available at and their calorie information and will update this story when we have heard back. Their launch comes amid a busy period for the giant chocolate company which has unveiled a swathe of new items recently. Bournville Salted Caramel and Bournville Chopped Hazelnut started landing on supermarket shelves at the end of July. Shoppers can buy both never-before-seen flavours for £2.20 or £1.85 with a Nectar Card. Meanwhile, it brought out Dairy Milk Iced Latte in May, combining classic Dairy Milk chocolate with a creamy coffee filling and crunchy biscuit pieces. Dubai Ice Cream The brand also introduced four limited edition Dairy Milk summer edition bars with packaging that changes colour based on temperature. Shoppers have also been going wild for the limited edition Cadbury Twirl White Dipped that's been landing on shelves. The bars, branded "outstanding" by customers, are similar to the classic milk chocolate Twirl but with a white chocolate coating. However, not all recent news from the brand has been positive. Cadbury axed its Bournville fingers earlier this year despite rave reviews from customers. The crispy biscuits were a popular item within the Bournville range, which features dark chocolate products. But they were confirmed as discontinued in June after their launch just five years ago in October 2020. In other new chocolate news, Nestle recently brought out Milkybar Crispy Cookie sharing bags for £2. Two new KitKat Chunky bars hit shelves last month too - Chunky Funky and Salted Caramel. How to save money on chocolate We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don't have to break the bank buying your favourite bar. Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs... Go own brand - if you're not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you'll save by going for the supermarket's own brand bars. Shop around - if you've spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it's cheaper elsewhere. Websites like let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you're getting the best deal. Look out for yellow stickers - supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they've been reduced. They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged. Buy bigger bars - most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar. So if you've got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Cadbury launching new Christmas advent calendar in weeks based on iconic breakfast spread
CADBURY is launching a new Christmas advent calendar in weeks - and it's based on an iconic breakfast spread. The chocolatier is set to unveil the Dairy Milk Lotus Biscoff calendar at major retailers in September. The 236g box, which comes with a recommended selling price of £7.79, contains 12 plain Dairy Milk chunks and 12 featuring crunchy Lotus Biscoff pieces and Biscoff spread. Cadbury is also launching a Dairy Milk Biscoff 350g sharing tablet for a recommended selling price of £5.83. Both products will hit supermarket in September, ahead of the festive season, The Grocer reports. Mondelez, which owns Cadbury, has also reportedly said it will roll out new designs for its Cadbury Roses and Heroes next month. Two new Toblerone Truffles flavours will launch as well - Golden Caramel and Assorted - with a recommended selling price of £6.75. The Sun has asked Mondelez which retailers the new Dairy Milk Biscoff products will be available at and their calorie information and will update this story when we have heard back. Their launch comes amid a busy period for the giant chocolate company which has unveiled a swathe of new items recently. Bournville Salted Caramel and Bournville Chopped Hazelnut started landing on supermarket shelves at the end of July. Shoppers can buy both never-before-seen flavours for £2.20 or £1.85 with a Nectar Card. Meanwhile, it brought out Dairy Milk Iced Latte in May, combining classic Dairy Milk chocolate with a creamy coffee filling and crunchy biscuit pieces. Dubai Ice Cream The brand also introduced four limited edition Dairy Milk summer edition bars with packaging that changes colour based on temperature. Shoppers have also been going wild for the limited edition Cadbury Twirl White Dipped that's been landing on shelves. The bars, branded "outstanding" by customers, are similar to the classic milk chocolate Twirl but with a white chocolate coating. However, not all recent news from the brand has been positive. Cadbury axed its Bournville fingers earlier this year despite rave reviews from customers. The crispy biscuits were a popular item within the Bournville range, which features dark chocolate products. But they were confirmed as discontinued in June after their launch just five years ago in October 2020. In other new chocolate news, Nestle recently brought out Milkybar Crispy Cookie sharing bags for £2. Two new KitKat Chunky bars hit shelves last month too - Chunky Funky and Salted Caramel. How to save money on chocolate We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don't have to break the bank buying your favourite bar. Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs... Go own brand - if you're not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you'll save by going for the supermarket's own brand bars. Shop around - if you've spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it's cheaper elsewhere. Websites like let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you're getting the best deal. Look out for yellow stickers - supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they've been reduced. They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged. Buy bigger bars - most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar. So if you've got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger. .
