
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.
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Scottish Sun
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The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Shoppers race to get their hands on popular Christmas chocolate spotted on shelves at a major supermarket
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Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
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See the top 20 areas for unemployment below DOLED OUT Dark underbelly of UK's new City of Culture plagued by soaring unemployment, 'spiced-up' druggies & 'roaming XL Bullies' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CLOSED shops litter the ailing high street and "spiced up" junkies stumble around like zombies or openly inject drugs in dingy doorways. Bradford - this year's UK City of Culture - has a dark underbelly of high unemployment, petty crime and illegal substance abuse. 19 A man slouches on a bench in Bradford city centre, apparently heavily intoxicated Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Two large Bully type dogs are walked across a road without leads Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Student Vanessa Soydere, 18, came to the city from Turkey 13 years ago and hopes to find work there after she qualifies Credit: NB PRESS LTD It comes after The Sun laid bare the UK's unemployment capitals, with the Labour government telling thousands of Brits: those who can work should get a job. In May, the West Yorkshire city had 26,070 people claiming unemployment benefits, a rise on not only this time last year but also the previous month. Outside of London, it's only behind Birmingham (10.6%) and Luton (7.7%) for joblessness stats. Known as the "wool capital of the world" in its Victorian boom era, it's had a sad fall from grace. 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Birmingham (10.6%) Newham (8.5%) Barking and Dagenham (8.5%) Haringey (8.2) Brent (8.2%) Enfield (7.8%) Luton (7.7%) Bradford (7.5%) Hackney (7.5%) Waltham Forest (7.4%) Lewisham (7.3%) Wolverhampton (7.3%) Ealing (7.2%) Sandwell (7.2%) Tower Hamlets (7.2%) Oldham 7.0 % Croydon (6.9%) Slough (6.6%) Redbridge (6.5%) Lambeth (6.5%) 'Most of my work would be away from the city anyway. I've got all my tickets, fork-lift licence, driving licence, wagon driving licence, etc. 'I'm obviously looking for work but it is not easy. 'Them lot in the Jobcentre are offering jobs on basic wages in factories and stuff, but I'm skilled and I have a trade.' More than 1 MILLION migrants are claiming Universal Credit in Britain – with majority unemployed Unemployment in Bradford represents a 7.5 per cent rate, according to the latest figures. That is an increase of 230 claimants compared to the previous month and 420 compared to May 2024. 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Bradford as City of Culture 2025 Bradford was named the UK City of Culture for 2025 due to its rich cultural heritage, diverse communities and innovative spirit. The designation was given by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. It means the West Yorkshire city gains access to funding to improve its infrastructure and arts facilities, and will continue to host events until the end of the year. Bradford won their bid in May 2022, beating County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough. More than a million people have engaged with the city's Culture projects so far this year, according to organisers. Its outdoor opening ceremony featured a performance by magician Stephen Frayne. The UK City of Culture programme began in 2013. Approaching our reporter with the screen in his arms, he asked for £10 for the goods. Beggers linger at traffic lights on busy junctions intimidating waiting motorists into handing over cash. And junkies openly take drugs in dingy shop doorways and litter-strewn alleyways before crashing out on benches or seeking out another store to shoplift. On Kirkgate, a once bustling shopping street, numerous loafers were hanging about swigging booze from cans and shouting at each other. One man had emptied the industrial bin beside the British Heart Foundation charity store and was messily rummaging through its contents. 19 A group of people drink alcohol Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Locals say the alcohol and drug problem in the city centre is getting worse Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Locals say they can't find work with businesses closing down Credit: NB PRESS LTD A charity shop volunteer said:'He doesn't care if he is making a mess. He is often doing this to look for things to sell on to buy drugs. 'He is very aggressive on some days. 'As soon as we put the bins out he is at them. He's after the coat hangers, they might fetch him a few quid." There was a distinct absence of any police officers patrolling the city centre. Cops raid large cannabis farm in landmark building By Mark Lister POLICE found a large cannabis farm at a landmark Bradford city centre building over the weekend. West Yorkshire Police were called to reports of a burglary at Sunwin House on Sunday. On arrival, a large cannabis farm was found. A 36-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of class B, remains in police custody. Enquiries remain ongoing at the scene. Police attention has been focused on the side of the building, near Goit Side, with several force vehicles and an extensive cordon in place. A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of class B, he remains in police custody at this time. "Police were called to reports of a burglary on Sunbridge Road. "On arrival, officers located a large cannabis farm. Enquiries remain ongoing at the scene." Sunwin House dates back to the 1930s, when it was constructed as a Co-operative emporium. More recently, it was used as a TJ Hughes department store and awarded a Grade II listing for its architectural significance. Since TJ Hughes shut its doors 15 years ago, the building has been mainly empty. But some locals still like the place. Former squaddie Jonny James, 32, was born and bred in Bradford and described living there as 'bloody brilliant'. 'I can't work at the moment though, due to my disability,' he says brandishing his badly scarred left arm which he damaged in a car crash. 'Before the accident I was in the Army, Royal Artillery. I'm on the sick now though. 'I don't mind living in Bradford, it has its good and bad sides, like a lot of places. 19 The shutdown Wilko store is among the major franchises having left the city Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 A man searches through litter from a large industrial bin Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Many residents say the city is rundown and there are few jobs to be had Credit: NB PRESS LTD 'I love the place because of the people.' Student Madison Kirby, 16, said: "There are not many opportunities for employment in the city centre as all the shops are shutting down. 'There are too many people and not enough jobs in Bradford.' Another student Vanessa Soydere, 18, came to the city from Turkey 13 years ago. 'I hope to find work in Bradford when I have finished my studies,' she said. 'Coming from Turkey to Bradford was obviously a bit different, but I've got used to it now. 'There are obviously some things that go on which are not nice and you do see some sights.' The Sun has approached Bradford City Council for comment. 19 Bradford is this year's city of culture, meaning it has access to extra funding to improve infrastructure Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 A beggar approaches motorists at traffic lights Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Student Madison Kirby, 16, said there are not many opportunities for employment in the city centre as all the shops are shutting down Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Parts of the city centre are very rundown Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Former squaddie Jonny James, 32, was born and bred in Bradford but is currently unable to work due to disability Credit: NB PRESS LTD 19 Former ventilation fitter Timmy Firth has just come out of prison and is looking for work Credit: NB PRESS LTD